The Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) has been listed as a vulnerable species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).

Where does the Murray Cod live?
The Murray Cod is the largest freshwater fish found in Australia. It is a long lived predator species that is highly territorial and aggressive. It occurs naturally in the waterways of the 
Murray–Darling
Basin in a wide range of warm water habitats that range from clear, rocky streams to slow flowing turbid rivers and billabongs. The upper reaches of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are considered too cold to contain suitable habitat.

Why is the Murray Cod threatened?
Current research on the Murray Cod provides sufficient evidence to indicate that:
• the river systems where the Murray Cod occur continue to be subject to much disturbance,
notably through the impoundment of natural riverine habitat by dams and weirs; and
• as a result of past changes to its core habitat, recruitment to the adult breeding population has been, and is still, unsustainably low.

What other laws currently protect the Murray Cod?
In addition to the listing of the Murray Cod as a nationally threatened species under the EPBC Act,the species is listed as threatened in Victoria and identified as a member of the listed threatened ecological community Lowland Riverine Fish Community of the Southern Murray–Darling Basin (Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988). Under this Victorian Act the taking, possession or trading of
the Murray Cod is prohibited without a permit. The Murray Cod is not listed as threatened in New South Wales, but is identified as a member of the listed endangered ecological community Aquatic Ecological Community in the Natural Drainage System of the Lower Murray River Catchment (Fisheries Management Act 1994).
Fisheries laws in each State and Territory govern the activities of recreational and commercial fishers and the operations of native fish hatcheries. This includes current restrictions on the activities of freshwater anglers through measures such as fishing gear restrictions; size and bag limits; and closed fishing seasons.

How does this listing decision relate to conservation initiatives already underway?
A significant number of Commonwealth, State and Territory programs are already underway that deal with a range of conservation measures relevant to the Murray Cod including resnagging programs, removing barriers to fish movement, improving environmental flows and habitat
rehabilitation.
MURRAY COD