Champion fisher’s roadshow to restoration
Over the coming weeks, OzFish teams are delivering a series of popular forums in regional towns across the Murray-Darling Basin and they’re bringing in the heavyweights of fishing with them.
Braeden Lampard, OzFish Murray-Darling Basin Program Manager knows that people play a truly effective role in restoration when they’re informed and these public forums are key to knowledge sharing.
“We know from what we are seeing in Menindee right now that our waterways need help. It is beyond devastating but there are solutions through collaboration,” said Braeden.
“There’s no doubt fishing builds communities and community collaboration underpins everything we do.
“That’s why we’re hosting free community nights featuring leading scientists and industry figures as part of our Australia-wide roadshow kicking off in central New South Wales.
“We want to make building communities enjoyable. Passing on information is key and we’re making that accessible, relatable, and engaging,” stated Braeden.
The lineup of speakers varies but will feature renowned fishing experts providing relevant information, tips, and fishing tales.
Early registration is recommended as they’re expected to sell out.
World-class anglers
Nobody exemplifies that better than Lubin Pfeiffer, one of Australia’s most accomplished anglers, who will be speaking at events in Euston, Mildura, and Wagga Wagga between now and the end of April.
Lubin is a freelance fishing journalist and host of Full-Scale Fishing Adventures. He is known for catching big natives right across the Murray Darling Basin and has represented Australia at World and Commonwealth fly fishing championships six times.
He’ll reveal how to look for the right water, discuss lure selection, and best practice care techniques for increasing your chances of catching and releasing the iconic Murray cod.
“I can talk all day about Murray cod but we also need to talk about what regional communities need to do now to ensure our children and their children get to appreciate these beauties,” said Lubin.
“I’m looking forward to sharing some advice and also helping to spread the message about the importance of habitat protection and restoration, through organisations like OzFish,” he said.
Wagga Wagga
The roadshow will kick off in Wagga Wagga on the evening of Thursday 30 March. Along with Lubin, also on the bill is Luke Pearce from NSW DPI Fisheries, who will provide an update on the habitat mapping project underway in the Murrumbidgee River.
Euston
The next day, it’s Euston’s turn. Lubin will be joined by three other speakers discussing the Murray River fishing and restoration programs for native fish in the region.
Peter Rose from the North Central Catchment Management Authority will provide an update on the Gunbower/Lower Loddon Fish Recovery Plan. He will be joined by Peter Ebenwaldner from AWMA Water Control Solutions speaking about new technology in Australia to install fish protection screens and how that’s increasing fish productivity in the Basin.
Mildura
In Mildura Lubin will be joined by fellow angling legend, Colby Lesko on Thursday 27 April at Café 1909. Like Lubin, Colby is renowned as a master of catching the iconic Murray cod as well as a respected fishing photographer, writer and fishing guide.
Gininderry ACT
At the other end of the Murrumbidgee will see the first event for the ACT take place as leading scientists and conservationists share the latest information on the river system and its tributaries on Wednesday 12 April.
That includes Dr Siwan Lovett, Director at the Australian River Restoration Centre, Antia Brademan, Facilitator at the Upper Murrumbidgee Reach, and Matt Beitzel, aquatic ecologist for the ACT Government. Also speaking will be Tyson Powell, Caring for Country Team Leader at the Gininderry Conservation Corridor and President of the OzFish Murrumbidgee ACT Chapter.
These are by no means the only forums and community nights we’ll be hosting in 2023 – far from it. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels to find out what’s coming up in your area. You can join your local OzFish chapter and get involved in habitat restoration now.
These events are funded by our collaborative partnerships with communities, government and industry in their local towns. This includes the Australian Government’s Environment Restoration Fund and the CRC Program, NSW Landcare Program which is a collaboration of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc, Ginninderry Conservation Trust with funding and support from BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
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