New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair

Thousands Of Fish Recorded Near Aerators In Darling River

Victor P Taffa

Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair will today attend the Australian Fisheries Ministers’ meeting to discuss the recent fish kill events, table the New South Wales Government’s interim report and discuss the use of aerators near Menindee.

Minister Blair said fisheries researchers from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) recently recorded vision of thousands of fish swimming around aerators in the Darling River near Menindee.

“Following the devastating fish kill events over the past 2 months, it’s encouraging to see thousands of fish swimming in the vicinity of the aerators.” Minister Blair said.

“Vision shows fish that are mostly native species such as Bony Herring and the occasional Carp swimming at the aerator site in the Darling River at the Menindee Creek inlet.”

DPI researchers used Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON) technology to record fish behaviour around aerator.

“Using the sonar footage, fish counts are now underway in order to understand the distribution around the bubble aerator and the venturi pump.” Minister Blair said.

“This is a work in progress, but researchers will then try and associate these with dissolved oxygen and temperature measurements that were taken at the same time, which will give some insights into the effectiveness of this kind of technology.”

“We’ve always said aerators are not a silver bullet but they are working well as a localised measure to save some key fish species.”

DPI scientists will continue to evaluate the feasibility of a range of technologies and are considering a trial of some micro-bubble oxygenation technology at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre as early as next week.

Additionally, the 20 large Murray Cod, 20 Golden Perch and 20 Silver Perch, which were successfully relocated from Menindee to Narrandera last week are adjusting very well to their new surroundings.

“Good news is these fish are not only surviving, they are thriving.” Minister Blair said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s been great to see the amount of support and goodwill we have received from the Menindee community who have helped our fisheries officers in the two rescues of around 100 fish.”

“All the fish relocated to Narrandera will be used for breeding and their offspring will then be restocked into the Lower Darling when conditions improve.”

“We know that moving 100 fish doesn’t compare to the hundreds of thousands that were lost but I am hopeful that these small relocation projects will allow us to breed 100,000’s of fingerlings that can find a home once again in the much-loved Darling River.” Minister Blair said.

 

Caption:

Solair Group – Aerator technology