Deep in the Sydney metropolis flows the Parramatta River, edged not by red dirt and scrub, but concrete and steel. Recently, while conducting surveys of fish life in the river, the Parramatta City Council got a bit of a surprise.

Amongst the usual pest species of European carp and silver perch, was our local sporting species - the barra.

While most anglers in the Kimberley would be reaching for the measure and the mobile for a photo, in Parramatta, they aren't so thrilled as the fish is regarded as introduced and unwelcome.

In fact, in a remarkable twist, the barra don't end up on the plate, but in the power grid.

"The non-native fish we don't put back in the river if we sample them" says Paul Hackney from the Council, "they're taken to this place called EarthPower where they get turned into methane and then the methane is burnt and turned into electricity."

Not exactly the end point for most of our barra over here, but that's what you get in the big city. So if you're heading over to Sydney, it may be worth chucking in the rod to see if you can bag yourself a Parra Barra.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/11/22/3638603.htm