Home / Projects / Talking Fish / Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum – Sunraysia November 2023

NSW RECREATIONAL FISHING TRUSTS AND THE
FISH HABITAT NETWORK PRESENTS

Fishers For Fish Habitat Forum was held on
3rd and 4th of November 2023

This free two day conference is for recreational fishers, landholders and interested community members, to come together and collaborate under the banner of ‘Learn, Collaborate and Act’. It is a platform to share knowledge and ideas about the latest developments in native fish management, fish habitat and what can be done to make it thrive.

Day one includes a boat trip and bus ride to see past and present restoration works along the Murray River. Day two will feature presentations from a range of speakers from fisheries research and the recreational fishing community, followed by a gala dinner to conclude the conference.

GET TO KNOW THE SPEAKERS

Cassie Price

Director – Habitat Programs, OzFish Unlimited

Think Like a Fish.
Cass Price is OzFish’s Director of Habitat Programs and she probably thinks more about fish than most! Cass is a lifetime fisher and her speaking topic is one that she lives and breathes; how thinking LIKE a fish makes you a better fisho. Cass will show you how understanding the way fish utilise habitats, how they feed, move and shelter during different times of the year, or under different conditions, will give you the EDGE the next time you’re out on the water.

Arthur Kirby

A Barkindji Elder who actively consults and participates in environmental and cultural practices

Arthur and Malcolm will be talking about the importance of our waterways and how best to preserve with cultural knowledge and western science methods.

Malcolm King

Senior Ranger for the Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team

Arthur and Malcolm will be talking about the importance of our waterways and how best to preserve with cultural knowledge and western science methods.

Sascha Healy

Senior Environmental Water Manager, Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group

Benefits of wetlands to fish, vegetation, frogs and waterbirds.
The value of wetlands as nursery habitat for small native bodied fish and juvenile native large bodied fish and the important role wetlands play in a functioning river

Travis Dowling

CEO – Victorian fisheries Authority

Cracking the Code on Maccas – the partnership approach underway to save Macquarie perch from extinction and re-establish an iconic native fish species.
Travis’ presentation details the history of the species, including from a personal perspective growing up a Euroa, and overviews the exciting $3.7 million partnership underway to ‘crack the code’ on captive breeding of Macquarie perch, allowing for the species to be bred in captivity using hatchery broodstock, rather than relying on harvest of broodstock from dwindling wild populations. This work, together with targeted habitat restoration and recreational fishers support, will save Macquarie perch from extinction and re-establish recreational fisheries for Macquarie perch across its former range in Victoria, NSW and ACT.

Caitlin Berecry

Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating

Insights from the VFA’s Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) program.
Caitlin will discuss how education and community building has created the largest initiative for female anglers and boaters in Australia and share the relevant insights for the wider fishing community

Braeden Lampard

Program Manager Murray Darling Basin – OzFish Unlimited

The River Repair Bus program and multi-layer community benefit.
This presentation will outline the successes of this program in terms of engagement with local recreational fishers, educational demonstrations and displays at appropriate events, development, coordination, and participation in restoration programs, and building a community of volunteers who are accelerating the progress of fish habitat restoration.

Luke Pearce

Senior Fisheries Manager – Habitat & Threatened Species Unit, NSW DPI Fisheries

Bring Back the Macca, recreational anglers driving threatened species recovery.
Luke will talk about how the Central Acclimatisation Society supported NSW DPI Fisheries in recovery actions for the endangered Macquarie Perch by identifying a refuge site, ceasing trout stocking, trout relocation, providing funding and assisting with annual monitoring. Partnerships such as this are essential in reaching for recovery of the beloved Macquarie Perch.

Lubin Pfeiffer

Freelance fishing journalist, host of The Full Scale Fishing Adventures

All things Murray cod fishing in the Murray/Darling basin with lures.
How to select the right water, lure selection and why, what retrieves work best, and the best way to catch a big Murray cod for yourself.

Dr. John Conallin

Representing Edward-Wakool Angling Association

Recovery efforts for Eel-tailed catfish and golden perch initiatives in the Edward-Wakool system.
John is a locally based scientist who has been working on threatened fish species here and internationally for over 2 decades and is focussing on threatened recreational based species such as catfish, as well as small-bodied fish such as pygmy perch and purple spotted gudgeon. Community based initiatives are at the core of his activities.

Paul Childs

Senior Environmental Water Management Officer (Murray Millewa Dunggula Lower Darling Baaka)

Opportunities of building native fish populations in the mid-Murray River region with environmental water delivery, along with complementary works, and supported by long-term monitoring and communications programs.

Peter Ebenwaldner

General Manager – Screens, AWMA Water Control Solutions

Modern screens provide real benefits for water users, native fish and recreational anglers and regional economies.

With excellent communication skills and a sound knowledge of the water and environmental industries Peter holds the position of ‘Industry representative on the Australian Fish Screen Advisory Panel’. Peter travels extensively to promote best practice screening solutions; often meeting with project partners, attending site meetings, conducting group training sessions, presenting at conferences and exhibiting at international events. He is a big supporter of OzFish and the initiatives they are implementing to improve the health of our waterways and native aquatic life.

LATEST NEWS

NOVEMBER 2023 | Experts tackle big issues at Fishers For Fish Habitat Forum

The message of learn, collaborate and act resonated loud and clear at the Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum in Mildura as industry experts shared their knowledge with community along the Murray Darling Basin.  A range of expert speakers imparted their knowledge to an enthusiastic audience at the two-day conference which included a bus and boat tour that showcased local restoration efforts along the Murray River. The annual conference is made available to the community through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and is presented by the NSW Government, Fish Habitat Network and OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s recreational fishing conservation charity. 

Find Out More

OCTOBER 2023 | Fishing Community To Converge On Mildura To Learn, Collaborate And Act

The highly anticipated Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum 2023 in Mildura on the 3rd and 4th of November is set to put Mildura on the map as the leading base of freshwater fish habitat conservation in Australia. Community members are invited to converge on the picturesque town on the Murray River for the two-day conference.  The annual conference is made available to the community through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and is presented by the NSW Government, Fish Habitat Network and OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s recreational fishing charity. And the best part of the conference for anyone interested in coming along is that it’s free to attend with meals provided on both days for those who register. 