Australian Native Fish
Many native fish species within the Murray-Darling Basin have declined dramatically in distribution and abundance. Declines in the population of fish species often occur suddenly. There is potential for the extinction of some species in the future. There is a need to take urgent action to reverse this trend of endangerment, for both individual species and fish communities as a whole. Research undertaken through the Native Fish Strategy has focused on identifying critical habitat for native species, and threats to the sustainability of their populations, so that we can take action to recover them. Areas of high conservation value have been identified with this work informing environmental water plans and other regional conservation activities. Here are some examples and informative videos on our native fish species:
Forecasting of future fish population trends and the implementation of actions to reverse trends towards endangerment is an area for ongoing work. While it is important that specific legislative requirements are provided to manage species under threat, it is also important to recognise that appropriate management arrangements for all fish need to be implemented. Further, it is easier and more economical to maintain healthy populations than it is to restore depleted populations.
Native fish stories
Barriers such as dams, weirs, levees, causeways, culverts and road crossings can stop the natural movement patterns of many native…
Passage between the river channel and its floodplain (or ‘lateral movement’) is very important for native fish, as some species…
Now, life for a river fish is just one long upstream swim. Which is at least one reason why snags…
A ‘fishway’ project by the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) was completed in 2019, and native fish habitat conservationists…
What makes recreational fishing so addictive? Catching fish can be a lot of fun, but research indicates that for most…
TropWATER Researchers recently published the results of a fish survey that delivered more than they’d bargained for… The study, funded…
Fishers can now access a new free smartphone app on weeds that has been produced by the NSW Department of…
In the Murray-Darling Basin, up to 98% of Carp (Cyprinus carpio) are produced in wetlands connected to the main rivers.…