Local history]]> Aboriginal culture]]> Aboriginal peoples]]> Estuarine ecology]]> Salinity]]> Fishes--Identification]]> Traditional ecological knowledge]]> Plants--Identification]]> Birds--Identification]]> Agricultural land]]> Floods]]> Acid sulfate soils]]> Weeds]]> Introduced fishes]]> Naturalists]]> Fish surveys]]> Boats]]> Threatened species]]>
Terry and John collectively discuss: pre-barrage days, when a blue line was visible, separating fresh from salt water in Lake Alexandrina (which is now freshwater); changes in fishing methods and equipment; a time when the Mulloway fish species were captured for their gelatine; history of flows and currents in the Coorong from the southern end, as a result of drainage schemes; salinity from agricultural soils and runoff; hypersalinity of the Coorong; traditional knowledge and legends of the Ngarrindjeri peoples; comparisons in flooding and rainfall between 1956 flood and the present day; the dairy and agricultural industry and trade routes in the 1950s; history of prominent naturalists studying the area; the Strathalbyn Nationalist book, an extensive repository of vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants in the area; South Australian Naturalist surveys; observation of fauna in the 1950s-60s and consequent changes; popular family and community activities (e.g. fishing, yabbying, hunting); history of boat types and fishermen huts (‘shacks’); dredging and acid sulphate soil issues; methods of catching and transporting fish (and duck); the impact of salinity on the small snails in the food chain of duck species; vegetation (weeds) popular to ducks; and the effect of European carp in the 1970s on the swan population; 1956 flood, and a family story about a 1870 flood; plant species.

They discuss a fish species 'disostra' in the Coorong and worldwide that died off in the early 20th century. They talk about water birds, and a species called a Banded Stilt which feeds on brine shrimp - a sign of hypersalinity.

Also mentioned: the South Australian Farmers Union, which became Southern Farmers, then National Foods.]]> CC-BY]]> Wetlands]]> Fishes--Breeding]]> Fisheries]]> Communities]]> Fieldwork]]> Environmental flows]]> Water temperature]]>
Born in 1960, John grew up in Melbourne, visiting with extended family around the Mildura area. He worked at Snobs Creek as a technician, becoming an expert in breeding Murray Cod. When the research side of Snobs Creek was relocated he took a job with Fisheries Department of Primary Industries to stay in the Alexandra area. He discusses in depth cultural changes in fishing and recreational activities from his perspective as a field naturalist.

John talks about: memories growing up fishing; fishing techniques; changes in fish species around Myall and Mildura; fishing techniques; types of bait; changes in the Murray’s flows and depths; changes in Murray Cod numbers; his work with Fisheries; environmental flows; de-snagging at Hume; anabranches between Hume and Mulwala; changes in water temperature; bush tucker. Mention of Bardi grub, turtle, platypus.
]]> CC-BY]]>