The third week in November is a time to celebrate and focus on Native Fish through the Native Fish Awareness Week.
The third week in November is a time to celebrate and focus on Native Fish through the Native Fish Awareness Week.
Native Fish Awareness Week is an initiative of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Strategy, which estimates that 90 per cent of native fish populations have been lost across the Basin since European settlement.
Wayne Tennant, Strategic River Health Manager with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), explains “Native Fish Awareness Week will be held across the Murray-Darling Basin from November 12 to 19 to raise the profile of issues affecting our native fish populations.”
The launch of the Basin wide initiative will be held in Marysville, in the upper Goulburn River Catchment. Events will be held in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia as well as Northern Victoria over the following week.
“Native Fish Awareness Week is a great opportunity for people or groups interested in protecting our native fish stocks to organize an event in their local community that will help make a difference to the health of local rivers,” Mr Tennant said.
Commencing in Marysville, the week will follow with events in Wangaratta, Tatong, Tahbilk, Shepparton and Kerang. Focusing on ‘Local people, local action’, the week aims to encourage participation in protecting stream health and seeing first-hand the range of community initiatives being undertaken across the Basin.
Mr Tennant added “Native fish numbers have declined dramatically across the Basin, however communities are supporting their return to streams. Native fish are an important community value across the region and their enhancement means tackling many different aspects of river health. A healthy river means healthy populations of native fish.”
Staff from natural resource agencies across the Basin will be working with schools and local communities to share information about native fish. Activities will include public forums, school visits, community field days and workshops.
To find out more about the planned events contact your local CMA or email reception@gbcma.vic.gov.au.