Hazelwood power station may have reached the end of its life but the Victorian government is trying to save scores of barramundi in its cooling pond.
Native to the warm waters of Australia's far north, 1600 of the fish were put into the coal mine's cooling pond in April last year at a cost of $150,000.
The pond is kept at a minimum 22C all year while the plant is running but the station closes for good on Friday and less heated water will flow in.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford says research is still being done on whether the fish can stay.
"We are aware that even after the power station ceases to operate warm water will continue to flow into the pondage for a number of years," she said.
"We are optimistic that we will continue to have a fantastic Barra Fishery for the Latrobe Valley, providing jobs and investment for years to come."
The warm water is expected to come from underground from the open cut coal mine.
Fisheries Victoria is looking into the feasibility of using geothermal water to sustain the barramundi fishery and what social and economic impact the fishery has had on the region.
The power station is going through a progressive shutdown ahead of its complete closure.
The first three generators were shut down on Monday, three more follow Tuesday and the final two switch off Wednesday.
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