Snowy Monaro fishers rally for local fish habitat
On Thursday 12 December, a passionate group of 30 recreational fishers came together at the Cooma Ex-Serviceman’s Club for Snowy Fish Talks – a night dedicated to fish, fishing, and the future of their local waterways.
With presentations from leading experts, the event showcased the importance of community-driven fish habitat restoration and set the stage for an exciting new chapter of collaboration.
Spotlight on the Macquarie Perch
The night kicked off with renowned freshwater fish expert Professor Mark Lintermans – affectionately known as Lintos – who brought both expertise and enthusiasm to the room. With Macquarie perch tattoos proudly displayed on his sleeves, Lintos shared the story of this iconic yet endangered species, which still finds refuge in the Upper Murrumbidgee River. His detailed insights highlighted the threats to “Maccas” and the painstaking work underway to ensure their survival, including monitoring and efforts to boost genetic diversity.
Restoring the Upper Murrumbidgee
Leon Miners, Senior Natural Resource Advisor at South-East Local Land Services, followed with good news – significant investment is coming for the Upper Murrumbidgee River. Leon outlined a $30 million government-backed program rolling out over the next three years to tackle erosion, weeds, pests, and riparian restoration. This investment is critical for the health of local rivers and the fish that call them home.
Local Action for Fish Habitat
Antia Brademan, facilitator of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach, brought the focus back to local action. Partnering with OzFish, Antia has led countless habitat restoration efforts, working alongside dedicated volunteers to support native species like Murray cod, trout cod, and Macquarie perch. With clear momentum in the room, Antia announced the formation of the Snowy Monaro OzFish Chapter, rallying fishers to unite and drive fish habitat restoration projects across the region.
The passion and energy were contagious. Local leaders quickly emerged, forming an executive committee to guide the new chapter and support future community efforts. As Antia noted, “The time is right for fishers to take the lead. Together, we can restore the rivers and streams that mean so much to us all.”
Coming Together for All Fish
The evening wrapped up with Lintos returning to share the story of another critically threatened native fish – the Stocky Galaxias. His presentation shed light on the delicate balance between native fish conservation and recreational trout stocking, sparking new understanding and support from local trout fishers in the room. By the end of the night, hands were going up to volunteer for upcoming habitat projects.
The Snowy Monaro OzFish Chapter is now gearing up for its first major event: the Bredbo Carp Out on the Australia Day holiday, in partnership with the Bredbo Fishing Club.
If you’re a local fisher who cares about the future of your rivers and fish, now’s the time to get involved. Together, we can protect and restore the places we love to fish. Join the Snowy Monaro Chapter.
