Mildura to host recreational fishing forum as habitat projects take hold in the region

Fishing conservation charity, OzFish Unlimited will host a free TEDx style fishing forum on Thursday 24 February at Mildura Café 1909 in a bid to educate and inspire local community members to participate in fish habitat restoration efforts.

The Thinking Fish forum will provide a platform for the local community to hear from and engage with some of the leading names in fisheries research and river management. The audience will get to hear their thoughts on some of the key issues surrounding the local Murray and Darling Rivers and what can be done to restore and protect native fish.

The talks have been brought to Mildura with funding support from the Victorian Landcare Network.

Braeden Lampard, OzFish’s Murray Darling Basin Program Manager, says the forum aims to deliver an enjoyable, open event to empower locals to improve themselves, their community, and their local waterways.

“There is a recognised need for recreational anglers to engage in fish habitat restoration across the country, however lack of knowledge can be a hurdle,” said Braeden.

“Each talk will outline issues important to fish and how the local community can help protect and enhance fish populations in their backyard.

“Like all projects we do at OzFish, it starts with understanding the core issues that are affecting our fish and these public talks are a great first step.

“Topics will include managing environmental water, modern screening of irrigation pumps, threatened species, the ins and outs of resnagging generating debate about the issues facing native fish in the Basin,” said Braedon.