Explorations Series: Thinking Fish - Saving Native Fish in the Murray Darling Basin
Start: 25 Feb 2020 6:00 pm
End: 25 Feb 2020 8:00 pm
Dubbo
OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s only fishing conservation charity launches the Thinking Fish - a series of public talks about fishing and its future across Australia.
The first will have a focus on the Murray-Darling Basin and the plight of our native fish made possible with funding from the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
The seminar aims to generate discussion and debate about the issues facing native fish in the Basin.
Hear from industry leaders about the current challenges and opportunities for our fish within regional and rural communities along this vast river system.
These talks will be about fish and fishing from people who love both. Together the talks will be thinking big, thinking fish and thinking future.
This seminar is a free event for community members of all ages who not only love fishing but equally love their rivers and what they give back to communities across Australia.
Light refreshments will be provided after the event.
Speakers
Matt Hansen – The new breed of Basin fishers
Matt has loved fishing since the day he could walk. He is a Director of OzFish Unlimited, President of the Inland Waterways OzFish Chapter and founder of the Lake Burrendong Easter Fishing Classic.
He was recognised by the recreational fishing sector as the 2109 Australian Rec Fishing Volunteer of the Year, for his efforts in leading habitat restoration as well as fisher and habitat communication in inland NSW.
Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper - Basin or Bucket? The importance of flow to Basin fish
Dr Mallen-Cooper is an internationally recognised expert in fish ecology and fish passage with over 35 years’ experience in researching and delivering improved outcomes for fish. His research on the ecology of fish migration, fish behaviour and swimming ability led to the first successful fishways for native fish in Australia. Martin has worked with state and federal government agencies, water authorities, engineering firms, local councils, and community groups; mainly in Australia, but also in Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, China, and New Zealand. His work has been published widely in international scientific journals.
Steve Starling – A Native Fish Renaissance: Chasing Murray Cod & Golden Perch in the 21st Century
Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling is Australia’s best-known and most prolific fishing writer, having published over 20 books, thousands of magazine articles and scores of DVDs and videos. Starlo was a co-presenter on the “Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures” TV show through the 1990s and is today active in on-line recreational angling media. Steve is an ambassador for OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s only national fishing conversation charity.
Dr Jennifer Marshall – National Carp Control Plan: Can CyHV-3 be used as a biocontrol for carp in Australia?
Jen has been at FRDC since January 2018 as the research project manager for the National Carp Control Plan. Formerly a research technician for NSW DPI Fisheries, Jen has experience working on fishing impact reduction, and charter fishing industry baseline studies. Jen holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon, and both a Master of Marine Science and Management and a PhD in the study of marine ecology from Southern Cross University.
Cameron Lay – Keeping Fish in Rivers
Cameron has worked in the management of fish and fish habits within the Murray Darling Basin for over 20 years. His focus has been the implementation of practical, on-ground actions to enhance the long-term resilience of native fish populations. Much to the frustration of his colleagues (and wife), he has a habit of running away to small islands every 7 or so years, having spent time managing protected areas for Traditional Owner groups in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island Marine Park. Cameron’s substantive role within DPI Fisheries is the Program Leader of the Murray Darling, however he is currently on secondment to coordinate the response and recovery actions for DPI Fisheries relating to the threats of drought and bush fires.
Stu Little – Why fish matter to a water bureaucrat
Stu’s official title is Assistant Director – Riverine Ecology at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. But what he really does is lead the Fish ‘theme’ area, providing up to date fish knowledge and expertise to the various sections within the MDBA. Passionate about protecting the environment since his High School project days, Stu was originally a soil scientist and agricultural researcher before joining the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in 2007. Since that time he has developed a love for fish through his work in the monitoring section for The Living Murray environmental watering and infrastructure program and Basin-wide environmental water planning. Stu leads a team committed to incorporating fish needs into water planning and management actions, and is part of the team developing the Native Fish Recovery Strategy.