On the back of up to 1 million dead fish in the Darling River near Menindee, and fish kill events in the Namoi River and Lake Burrendong, a call to reignite the native fish strategy has gathered serious momentum.
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Lee Baumgartner, Associate Research Professor Fisheries and River Management, with the Institute for Land, Water, and Society, at Charles Sturt University and Max Finlayson Director, Institute for Land, Water and Society, also at Charles Sturt University, have authored a conversation article and said The Native Fish Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin is a living document. It was developed in 2001 and lays out a plan for helping the basin’s fish communities recover from where they are now, at 10% of pre-European levels, back to 60% over 50 years.
During the first 10 years of its life the [native fish] strategy helped us learn more about our native fish than in any other period. But direct funding ceased in 2012.
The co-authors said the strategy is one of the rare documents agreed to by the federal government and all basin states, simply because it made sense. It was visionary and forward-thinking, contributed to by a multitude of scientists, managers, Indigenous groups and basin communities.
During the first 10 years of its life the strategy helped us learn more about our native fish than in any other period. But direct funding ceased in 2012. Since then, implementation of its recommendations has been opportunistic and without central co-ordination. That said, the pair said the strategy is still relevant and the need to resurrect its funding has never been greater.
In outlining how we can best help our native fish in this dire time of need, Mr Baumgartner and Mr Finlayson said that our native fish are pretty simple creatures. They need healthy habitat, more natural water flows, the ability to move around, minimal pests to compete with, and sparing use of active human intervention, including stocking.
The first decade of the strategy sought to provide hard data on how a range of different threats impact fish. It also successfully trialled a suite of solutions.
Because of the strategy, we know why aquatic and riparian habitats are crucial for fish. And putting habitat back in the river, through plans like building fish hotels can help fish recover rapidly. Many decades of clearing the Darling River of logs and minor obstructions has left large stretches smooth and unsuitable for fish to lay eggs, shelter or hide from predators, so reintroducing native plants and natural “snags” is essential for a productive future fishery.