Family life]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Ecological sustainability]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Diet]]> Fishing nets]]> Fishes--Breeding]]> Introduced fishes]]> Droughts]]> Weirs]]> Environmental flows]]> Physical characteristics (Animals)]]> Intensive farming]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Connection to Country]]>
Richard is a Ngiyampaa Aboriginal man residing in Wodonga, Victoria. Born in 1959, Richard grew up on the Lachlan River in central New South Wales with his family and currently works with the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in the Wodonga area.

In this document, Richard discusses the changes he has observed in native and introduced fish species in the Lachlan River, and illegal fishing activities. He reflects on family life with his mob, growing up, his culture, diet, changes in water flows and levels, conservation practices, and sustainable ecological management.]]>
Lachlan River, NSW [stream]]]> Euabalong, NSW [populated place]]]> Condobolin, NSW [populated place]]]> Lake Cargelligo, NSW [lake]]]> Booberoi Creek, NSW [stream]]]> Wyangala Dam, NSW [dam]]]> Lake Cowal, NSW [lake]]]> Murrin Bridge, NSW [section of populated place]]]>
Irrigation]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Introduced species]]> Wetlands]]> Ecological sustainability]]> Geomorphology]]> Riparian areas]]> Billabongs]]> Floodplains]]> Fish habitat improvement]]> Environmental flows]]> Fishing industry]]> Physical characteristics (Animals)]]>
John Koehn is a research officer for the Arthur Rylah Institute, Melbourne, and studies freshwater fish ecology. John Douglas works for Victorian Fisheries, and Roy Patterson is a Taungurung man.

John Koehn talks about: his work recovering Catfish and Silver Perch populations in the Murray-Darling Basin, 2000; a commercial fishery that existed at Barren Box when Catfish abundant; drivers of Catfish decline; strengths and weakness of different fish species; impact of irrigation releases on water flow e.g. Murray River; impact of European carp on billabongs and lagoons; carp removal; importance of billabongs, floodplains, wetlands in the Murray-Darling system, their loss and degradation from human activities; importance of ‘active’ ecological management; geomorphology; importance of 'instability' in creating diverse habitats for fish species; changes in vegetation e.g. Phragmite (Common Reed).

The group add their diverse knowledge to the topics discussed, in particular the variety of Catfish species found across the Murray-Darling Basin.]]>
CC BY]]> ]]> Maryborough, Vic [populated place]]]> Torrumbarry Weir, NSW [dam]]]> Eulo, Qld [populated place]]]> Albury, NSW [populated place]]]> Alexandra, Vic [populated place]]]> Barren Box Swamp, NSW [swamp]]]>
An archival version of the Talking Fish Collection is managed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive (ATSIDA).]]>
Fish populations

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Streamflow]]> Irrigation]]> Water levels]]> Fishing industry]]> Fishing licences]]> Water quality]]> Introduced species]]> Floods]]> Siltation]]> Salinity]]> Fishing regulations]]> Tournament fishing]]> Blackwater]]> Fishes--Speciation]]> River engineering]]> Fish kills]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Baraba Baraba people]]>
Greg McNeil:, an irrigator, suggests that recent floods might have made unecessary plans to re-snag and reclaim the river. He advocates for a hands-off approach to river management and says that irrigation across the basin has matured while becoming more 'intense'.

Unannounced: recalls professional fishermen; swimming in the river; and observes that there was less recreational fishing in the past. Remembers that the Loddon was different when backed up by a weir from 1923 to 1964 and also talks about water levels and the river's improved health more recently.

Rodger Reilly: remembers fishing with his uncle. Mention of Woods Point. Worked with Fisheries and Wildlife, transferred to the Lands Department, and ended up in Kerang. He talks about needing to change where he goes angling because of the poor quality of water (caused by Cumbungi, siltation); frontage licenses and the advantage of local knowledge.

Esther Kirby; (of the Baraba Baraba people) used to fish at the weir with her brother sister and partner, catching Redfin and Yabbies and sharing the spoils. She talks about the decline in fish diversity (especially catfish) with arrival of Carp; and how she learnt a technique to call fish up from one of her Aunties. She has fished the Edwards, Wakool, Niemur, and Goulburn rivers, among others.

Elaine Jones; learnt to fish for Flounder on the coast and only later stared fishing on the Loddon. She discusses the 1973 flood and the arrival of European Carp; the disappearance of Tortoises; irrigation, water efficiency and the salinity problem.

Ross Stanton: remembers fishing for Redfin out of Gunbower Creek. and talks about schools of small Carp.

Rob O'Brien: learnt to fish with his Uncle in the lower Kerang. catching Yabbies with "roly-poly" woodlice. He talks about the colour of the water; fishing with spinners; and recalls that people used to fill half a wheat bag with Redfin dragging a spinner while walking from the old Kerang bridge to Kerang. He mentions the arrival of Carp in 1974; swimming; siltation; and using drum nets.

The group goes on to discuss the return of Murray Cod; the use of Murray Cod to control Carp; size limits; catch and release; changing attitudes; competitive fishing; blackwater (in 1986); different species of trout cod; and fish lanes.

Esther mentions that the (Wadi Wadi?, Wodi Wodi?) group met with Parks and Wildlife and the Water Catchment Authority to raise the issue of fish being killed by irrigation.

Mention of Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre; "Water Catchment Authority"; "Fisheries and Wildlife"; "Lands Department"

Also mentions: Red Azolla (Azolla filiculoides); Myriophyllum ("watermilfoil", "cat tail"); Cumbungi (Typha latifolia).]]>
CC BY-NC]]> Loddon River, Vic [stream]]]> Woods Point, Vic [point]]]> Wakool River, NSW [stream]]]> Merran Lake, NSW [lake]]]> Gunbower Creek, Vic [stream]]]> Barr Creek, Vic [stream]]]> Lake Charm, Vic [lake]]]> Kangaroo Lake, Vic [lake]]]> Barmah Lake, Vic [lake]]]> Moira Lake, NSW [lake]]]>
Fishing--Australia]]> Water quality]]> Restoration ecology]]> Stream restoration]]> Riparian restoration]]> Introduced fishes]]> Fishes--Breeding]]> Floods]]> Fishes--Diseases]]> Fish surveys]]>
Dwayne talks about fishing with his family; tagging fish; the influence of water colour on fish colour; fish parasites; his two boats; electric motors; and his dislike of nets. He says the water takes two years to clear after a flush and mentions that lure fishing is at its best when it does. He discusses the river ecosystem; bank stabilisation; re-snagging programs; the impact of Carp; carp musters and changing attitudes towards angling (catch and release). He also talks about flooding and fish breeding habits; yabbying on the Warrego River; and mentions storing yabbies with gum leaves and sighting black Yellowbellies at a place called Black Rocks.

Mentions Darling River Weir 19A (30°13'55.0"S 145°41'49.0"E; MDBA Site ID 425037; "19-mile weir"), Ford's Bridge (NSW, -29.753215, 145.430510), Warren Reservoir (SA), Bourke Weir (-30.086914, 145.894400), Bree Weir, Black Rocks

Mention of garden worms, white sea eagles, emu, king brown snakes, carpet snakes, red belly black snakes, water lillies, gums, algae and Dace Cordina of the Cathment Management Authority ]]>
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Introduced fishes]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Fishing industry]]> Stream restoration]]> Restoration ecology]]> River engineering]]> Riparian areas--Management]]> Water resources]]> Water allocations]]>
Mick explains his family history and the history of their property 'Myandetta". He talks about the history of fishing in the area; professional anglers and netters; and changing attitudes towards fishing (catch and release). He learned to fish with nets and lines with his grandfathers. He discusses the arrival of European carp in 1973, noting that they travel in floodwater. He talks about bait, what it takes to catch Bony Beam, and set lines.

Barb talks about yabbying, and says that she likes fishing but loves the river.

Mick and Barb approve of restocking efforts by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), but share their concerns about the reduced responsiveness of fishing inspectors. They observe that there are more visitors and anglers about the river and note that illegal fishing is still practiced. They discuss man made weirs and natural weirs; river management; water allocations; water licenses; grazing along the river: erosion; and efforts to re-establish vegetation along the river.

Mention of NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
Penny Wong

Mention of Lake Cargellico (NSW), Burrendong Dam (NSW), Darling River Weir 19A (30°13'55.0"S 145°41'49.0"E; MDBA Site ID 425037; "19-mile weir")

Mention of water lizards, wombats, shrimp.]]>
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Fishing--Australia]]> Water quality]]> Fish stocking]]> Traditional environmental knowledge]]> Water conservation]]> Fish stocking]]> River engineering]]> Bait fishing]]> Fish populations]]> Introduced fishes]]>
Keith grew up in Brewarrina and learned to fish with his father. He learned to swim in the river, and remembers how clear the water was - clear enough that people could go spearfishing.

Keith and Max talk about using worms, mussels and crayfish as bait and discuss variance in carp populations over time. They also observe that fishing is better in the dry when the water levels are lower. They mention Yellowbelly and Murray Cod restocking programs; talk about de-oxygenated water; changes in attitudes about sustainable fishing (catch and release); how to read the river; what they've learned from Indigenous Australians; the mass of birdlife; weir management; and water restrictions. They talk about boat trips along the river and their sighting of baby catfish in the Bokhara and Culgoa Rivers.

Mention of Goanna, Wallaby. frogs, blacksnakes, brown snakes, carpet snakes, mosquitoes.

Mention of Brewarrina fishing club]]>
CC BY-NC-ND]]>
Fishing--Australia]]> Introduced fishes]]> Fishing rods]]> Bait fishing]]> Stream flow]]>
Gordon reminisces about the 1956 floods in Maitland. He talks about how hew learned to fish at Moruya and Coffs Harbour, and how he learned to make nets. He discusses what features to look for in the river when fishing with rods and setting nets. On netting, he says that illegal fish trapping is still prevalent. He also talks about the introduction of carp and their effect on catfish and weeds; his participation in the local Carp Muster competition; Indigenous Australians living at the Wier; bait; and making and appraising rods. Gordon says the river hasn't changed much since 1956.

Cathy talks yabbying in the Warrego River and off Ford's Bridge, and about the crabs she's seen at Gumbalie.

Mention of Cumbungi (bullrush)
Brown snakes, Black Snakes, Taipan, worms,
Gin (Aboriginal Woman)]]>
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Introduced fishes]]> Floods]]> Restoration ecology]]> Water quality]]> Riparian restoration]]> River engineering]]> Fish populations]]> Fishing--Australia]]> Stream restoration]]>
Gay and Dick talk about the arrival of Carp and St John's Wort following a big flood in 1991. They stopped fishing soon afterward. They discuss their efforts to reintroduce native plants, and their involvement in replanting schemes organised by the Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach and LandCare. They also talk about fish populations, local wildlife, water turbidity, and man made changes to water flows and the River's character. They briefly discuss fishing canoeing, camping and their experience with theft.

Mention of Black Snakes, Brown Snakes, Platypus, Water Dragons, Turtles, White Sea Eagle, Cormorants, Wombats, Echidna, Rosenberg's Monitor/Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), Eastern Water Dragons

Also mentions St John's Wort, Vipers bugloss ("Salvation Jane") , Hoarhound, Hemlock, African Love Grass, Eucalyptus, Manna Gums,

Mention of Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach, LandCare, Snowy Mountain Scheme
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Fishes--Identification]]> Plants--Identification]]> Birds--Identification]]> Irrigation]]> Agricultural land]]> Siltation]]> Physical characteristics (Animals)]]> Introduced fishes]]> Artesian basins--Australia]]> Aboriginal peoples]]> Local history]]> Dust storms]]> Blackwater]]> Floods]]> Environmental flows]]>
Gordon has spent most of his life in the Eulo district, and thirty years on a cattle property at Wandilla on the eastern side of the Paroo River. The district is sheep and cattle country; the Paroo used as a water source for stock. He comments on the health of the river in comparison with Murray Darling rivers used for irrigation.

Gordon talks about: Yowah country; overstocking and changes in vegetation and siltation as a result of smaller land settlement blocks; recreational fishing methods and popular water holes for Murray cod; different types of Yellowbelly species in the Murray Darling compared to Balloo; siting carp in the late 1970s, early 1980s; Eulo spring systems; interconnection between Artesian Basin and springs (Stratton Basin controversy); GABSKI Scheme and government subsidies for Artesian bore closures; Aboriginal peoples in the district; history of local land owners; dust storms from western New South Wales; changes in water bird life and a noticeable decline in ducks; black floods; Eulo in the 1930s and its highest population in its opal mining days, early 1900s; Kopai clay mineral; floods and the pattern of water flow from Warrego.

Mention of: Mulga weed, Lapunyah; water birds; 'moon fish'.]]>
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Soldier settlement]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Droughts]]> Floods]]> Bushfires]]> Siltation]]> Grazing]]> Environmental flows]]> Introduced fishes]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Depressions--1929--Australia]]>
Dougie talks about: the effects of drought and economic depression on communities; government property ballots,1951; soldier settlements; cycles of drought, floods, and bushfires; silt build up in water holes from grazier activities, changing river and creek flows; relationship between Warrego and Paroo; periods when water ran from Paroo into the Darling (1950, 1956); Aboriginal fishing methods, catching ‘sleepy cod’; siting carp in river branches connected to the Murray; gelignite used to erect power lines throughout Paroo. Drought events discussed: 1930, ending 1947, 1957. Flood events: 1942, 1947, 1950, 1956.

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