Saving the Greynurse Shark
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, marine scientist Dr David Harasti explains why the Greynurse Shark is one of Australia's most vulnerable ocean species, and how simple changes in the way we fish can have a serious impact on their survival. He also explains the role these sharks play in the ocean's ecosystem and how fishers, scientists and conservation groups can work together to protect these important predators. https://ozfish.org.au/ozcast/episode-15/
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A World Within: Unveiling the Secrets of Saltmarsh
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, Troy Gaston dives beneath the surface of the often-overshadowed marine habitat of Saltmarsh. Being the unassuming heros of our coast, Troy explains that saltmarshes are in fact ecological powerhouses playing a pivotal role in coastal ecosystems. After spending over 25 years looking into their role, Troy uncovers his most pivotal research and findings in respect of saltmarshes impact on the food chain, their role in the reproduction of marine species and protecting coastal erosion. Saltmarshes, the unassuming heroes of our coasts, are more than just wetlands. They...
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Now You See Me: Why Small-Bodied Fish Are Vital To The Murray-Darling Basin
OzCast
Join us on this episode of OzCast as we look beneath the surface at the often-overlooked realm of small-bodied threatened fish species in Australian waterways with Dr. Nick Whiterod, a seasoned marine ecologist with over twenty years of dedicated research and conservation efforts. Dr. Nick Whiterod holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University, assessing the bioenergetic implications of large impoundments on Murray cod. His career has been marked by a profound commitment to the conservation of Australia’s freshwater ecosystems, particularly focusing on small-bodied fish and crayfish...
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Open The Floodgates: The Story Of The Hexham Swamp
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, fisheries scientist Craig Boys dives beneath the surface of the Hexham Swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland with ecological and cultural significance. Craig highlights the intricate relationship between aquatic ecosystems and human interventions, particularly focusing on the impact of floodgates installed for flood mitigation. Throughout the episode, we explore the consequential shifts in fish and prawn populations, the resurgence of native species, and the broader implications for fishery productivity. This episode is not only an educational journey...
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The Perfect Storm - What is causing Australia's fish kills?
OzCast
What's behind the horrifying phenomenon of fish kills in Australian inland waterways? Join us as we unearth the many fish kills that have taken place recently with Prof. Lee Baumgartner – the leading scientists who is involved in the government enquiry investigating the events. Throughout the episode, Lee sheds light on the environmental culprits behind these disasters, stressing the importance of responsible river management going forward. From dissecting blackwater events, hydrology, bacteria and algae, river infrastructure and flow, the ‘perfect storm’ that leads to a fish kill...
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The battle against Carp: will the virus work?
OzCast
On this episode of OzCast, Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper re-joins the show to look below the surface at one of the most topical questions circulating our inland fishing communities – should Australia release the Carp herpes virus (cyprinid herpesvirus 3)? Martin, who has spent decades looking into the health of our freshwater rivers in Australia, sets the record straight on how the carp virus would work if released and offers his expert opinion on which direction the Australian government should take. Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper is a highly respected river ecologist. He was born in...
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Sowing the seeds: South Australia’s quest to green the blue with seagrass.
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, Jason Tanner dives beneath the surface of South Australian waters to unveil how he is working to “green the blue” by dropping sandbags in strategic areas to bring back the lost seagrass meadows of yesteryear. After spending over 25 years developing this technique from the ground up, he explains how his work went from an idea to a now industrial-level program that sees tens of thousands of bags being deployed every year. Jason has 30 years’ experience overall in marine ecology, working in tropical and temperate systems. He has published over 80 papers,...
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Power in numbers (PART 2): The trials and tribulations of seagrass restoration in Australia.
OzCast
PART 2: In this episode of OzCast, Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine ecosystems, Professor Kendrick dives beneath the surface on all the trials and tribulations of bringing these lost meadows back to their former glory – from small-scale projects, all the way to industry-leading community-led projects like...
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Power in numbers (PART 1): The trials and tribulations of seagrass restoration in Australia.
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine ecosystems, Professor Kendrick dives beneath the surface on all the trials and tribulations of bringing these lost meadows back to their former glory – from small-scale projects, all the way to industry-leading community-led projects like Seeds...
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What’s the go with flow? Why it’s needed for native fish to thrive in the Murray Darling Basin.
OzCast
In this episode of OzCast, we look below the surface of the flow of water in the Murray-Darling Basin as a critical factor that affects the health of the entire ecosystem and why it is fundamental for native fish. Iain Ellis, with 23 years in the management of fish production in the Murray Darling Basin, makes clear that flowing waters from the upper reaches to the lower stretches and mouths of rivers are critical for thriving fish populations. He outlines that for more than 150 years, these waterways have been impacted by dams, weirs, regulation, diversion and land clearing all...
info_outlineIn this episode of OzCast, fisheries scientist Craig Boys dives beneath the surface of the Hexham Swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland with ecological and cultural significance. Craig highlights the intricate relationship between aquatic ecosystems and human interventions, particularly focusing on the impact of floodgates installed for flood mitigation.
Throughout the episode, we explore the consequential shifts in fish and prawn populations, the resurgence of native species, and the broader implications for fishery productivity. This episode is not only an educational journey through the swamp’s history and transformation but also a celebration of community involvement in environmental stewardship.
Hailing from New South Wales, Australia, Dr Craig Boys is a Principal Research Scientist for the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries). Craig brings an extensive 20-year career to the forefront of fish ecology and fisheries conservation. His expertise is not only recognised nationally but also holds international acclaim. Craig’s academic journey includes a position as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Research at Charles Sturt University. His research portfolio spans across continents, including Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America, demonstrating his global impact in the field. A leader in screening technology, Craig has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between primary industries and fisheries outcomes.
Throughout the episode, Craig dives beneath the surface on the significance of Hexham Swamp. Once thriving with biodiversity, the installation of floodgates in the 1970s drastically altered the swamps ecological balance. Craig explains how these gates, designed to protect urban developments, inadvertently stifled the wetland’s ecological heartbeat by disrupting the natural flow of water. His insights offer a compelling story about the intersection of human intervention and natural ecosystems, emphasising the impact of seemingly minor infrastructural changes on waterway health.
The floodgates led to decreased water quality, acidification, and a significant drop in aquatic life. These changes not only impacted the immediate area but also had cascading effects on the broader ecosystem, including local fish productivity. The swamp’s transformation from a vibrant wetland to a near-barren landscape starkly illustrated the unintended consequences of human interference in natural systems.
A turning point in Hexham Swamp’s story came through advocacy, particularly by local commercial fisher, Jeff Hyde. Craig’s recount of Jeff’s relentless efforts to reopen the floodgates is a testament to the power of individual voices in driving change. Change was slow but steady. The gradual reopening of the gates marked the beginning of the swamp’s recovery, with notable improvements in water quality, fish, and prawn populations.
Craig’s team meticulously tracked the ecological changes post the reopening of the gates. Their research employed a comprehensive approach, comparing the changes in Hexham Swamp to similar ecosystems, both with and without floodgates. This method provided a clear evidence, underpinning the importance of scientific data in environmental decision-making.
The success story of Hexham Swamp goes beyond its boundaries, the long-term environmental benefits, including the resurgence of native species and the recovery of vital habitats. This case serves as a crucial lesson in environmental stewardship, highlighting the potential for change when human interventions are thoughtfully managed.
The Hexham Swamp story is one of hope and resilience, demonstrating that with informed decisions and community involvement, we can aid in the recovery and preservation of our natural environments.