NEW advisory material explaining how native fish respond to flows and what it means for recreational fishers has been developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in partnership with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
The video (above) and series of infographics (below) have been developed in close consultation with anglers across the NSW Basin through an Engaged Anglers Advisory Group.
DPI Fisheries identified the need to work more closely with recreational fishers following a state-wide survey conducted in 2016.
DPI’s Senior Fisheries Manager, Dr Katherine Cheshire, said fish play a critical role in the entire river system and are the basis of a billion dollar recreational fishing industry.
“Looking after fish by using water for the environment can support spawning and growth to adults, and provides a range of environmental, social and economic benefits, including better fishing for target species like yellow belly,” Dr Cheshire said.
“It is important to have recreational fishers involved as the custodians of this shared resource.”
Well known Mildura angler and advisory group member Vas Saris said it was the first time that NSW fishers have been invited by government to help create targeted communications advice to inform and educate others on issues such as using water for the environment for native fish, fish ecology and water management.
“We’ve never had this level of engagement before from the government and we have helped them translate complex information such as river regulation, environmental flows and the science behind it in simple terms that makes it easier to understand,” Mr Saris said.
Mr Saris said he is one of many anglers who are committed to sharing information that will bring about a greater understanding of why fish need flows.
“It’s so important to understand what water managers, scientists and the government are doing to help nurture and improve our fisheries through water management and that’s why we think it’s better explained by recreational fishers,’ Mr Saris said.
Communications consultant and former fishing show host Bonita ‘Snagger’ Brown said the influence of recreational fishers is evident in the look and feel of both products.
“They tell a story, something that all anglers can relate to, but also a key ingredient when making complicated information easier to understand.”
“The video describes the changes in our rivers and their flows from the perspective of highly experienced anglers who have lived near and fished these rivers their whole lives and that’s important, because it’s removed some of the jargon and academic language associated with water management.”
Ms Brown, also a Director of OzFish Unlimited – Australia’s dedicated fishing conservation organisation, helped the group of Basin fishers identify what issues are important to their fishing and wider communities and what type of information they wanted more of.
“Easy to understand material that explains how fish respond to different flows will be welcomed by the many fishing and community groups across the basin but also schools and the media who will find this as a highly useful resource.”
You can find further information about the information packs at DPI’s website, or you can access them directly at the links below.
How do flows in my river help fish?
How do flows help fish grow, survive and thrive?
Why are the flows I see in my river given different names?
What do different flows look like in my river?
Do the fish I like to catch really need different types of flow?
