GOVERNMENT agencies are working together to revitalise native fish populations in the wake of the 2022 floods.
The floods caused a variety of environmental challenges, including erosion of riverbanks, increased carp populations, and poor water quality due to organic matter and nutrients washing into the river system.
To minimise fish deaths, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has collaborated with Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) and various catchment management authorities to do small releases of fresh water and oxygenate the water in affected systems.
In addition to responding to flood events, agencies have also worked together to support native fish outside of floods by releasing water through the irrigation district to key wetlands, enabling juvenile fish to move to high-quality habitats.
Fishways, which enable fish to bypass manmade barriers such as weirs and dams, have also been constructed to improve catchment and waterway health across regional Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s $248M investment over four years (2020-2024).
By working in collaboration agencies are working to mitigate the impacts of the floods and ensure the long-term health of native fish populations.
You can learn more about how government agencies are giving native fish the best chance to prosper by listening to the latest episode of Talking Water with GMW at www.gmwater.com.au/podcast
