The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is calling on communities to look out for native fish in the coming weeks following record breaking rains and ongoing flooding.
Deputy Director General at NSW DPI Fisheries, Sean Sloan said native fish had been “put through the wringer” over the past few years, with drought, bushfires and floods.
“We want people in our river communities to be alert for fish deaths in the coming days and weeks due to significant rainfall across most of the State,” Mr Sloan said.
“This has resulted in extensive inundation of floodplain areas, with associated impacts on water quality causing risks for fish,” he said.
“These flood events can wash a lot of organic matter into the river, such as grasses, leaves and fallen vegetation.
“The rapid breakdown of this material can strip oxygen from the water.”
Mr Sloan said that if dissolved oxygen dropped to very low levels, this could cause ‘hypoxic blackwater’, which can be stressful for native fish, especially over long periods, and can lead to fish deaths.
He said water temperatures in rivers was also rising due to the hot weather, speeding up the whole process and increasing the likelihood of low oxygen levels.
The Deputy Director General said the areas DPI Fisheries was concerned about for potential fish deaths included the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Darling-Baaka valleys.
“While these areas are of particular concern to DPI Fisheries, we’re asking everyone to be on the lookout for fish deaths, given the widespread rainfall and flood activity across the State in recent months,” Mr Sloan said.
“DPI Fisheries will continue to work with partner agencies, who are responsible for managing and monitoring water quality and conditions.”
He encouraged community members to report any fish deaths or observations through the Fishers Watch Phone line on 1800 043 536.
