Talking fish: Local knowledge helps conserve fish

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is using the long-term knowledge of local fishers to inform the current scientific understanding of fish species in the Basin.

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The Native Fish Strategy has been recording the experiences of recreational fishers so that local, historical and cultural knowledge can be used in managing fish species in the Basin.

This oral histories project will be the topic of this Sunday's ABC Radio National's Hindsight program, which will focus on personal stories and histories of fishing in the Basin.

"By working with recreational fishers, we can draw on their experiences and suggestions about how individual fish species and fisheries can be better conserved," said an MDBA spokesperson.

The project also develops the community's understanding of the link between river health and fish numbers, which affects recreational fishing.

The oral histories were sourced from more than 130 people across the Basin, including recreational fishers, Aboriginal communities, commercial fishers and scientists.

Some 12 locations feature in the program, including the Namoi River (NSW), the Upper Condamine River (Qld), Katarapko Creek (SA), the Upper Murrumbidgee River (NSW / ACT) and the Goulburn and Ovens Rivers (Vic).

The program is being aired on ABC Radio National's Hindsight this Sunday 14 August 2011 at 2.00pm.

The MDBA is very grateful to the fishers from across the Basin that generously gave their time and shared their experiences.

The MDBA would also like to acknowledge our partners including the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Conservation Action Unit), the University of Technology Sydney, a number of contractors and the Queensland, Victorian, South Australian and ACT Governments.

For more information contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au

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