THINKING FISH PUBLIC TALKS
OzFish public talks about fishing and its future across Australia
These public TEDx style talks have been given by leading experts passionate and knowledgeable about fish and fishing. They outline issues important to fish and how local communities can help protect and enhance fishing habitats across the country.
The first series of talks have a focus on the Murray-Darling Basin and the plight of our native fish made possible with support and funding from the Murray Darling Basin Authority. They aim to generate discussion and debate about the issues facing native fish in the Basin.
Steve ‘Starlo Starling – A Native Fish Renaissance: Chasing Murray Cod & Golden Perch in the 21st Century
Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling is Australia’s best-known and most prolific fishing writer, having published over 20 books, thousands of magazine articles and scores of DVDs and videos. Starlo was a co-presenter on the “Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures” TV show through the 1990s and is today active in on-line recreational angling media. Steve is an ambassador for OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s only national fishing conservation charity.
Matt Hansen – The new breed of basin fishers
Matt has loved fishing since the day he could walk. He is a Director of OzFish Unlimited, President of the Inland Waterways OzFish Chapter and founder of the Lake Burrendong Easter Fishing Classic. He was recognised by the recreational fishing sector as the 2109 Australian Rec Fishing Volunteer of the Year, for his efforts in leading habitat restoration as well as fisher and habitat communication in inland NSW.
Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper – Basin or bucket the importance of flow to basin fish
Dr Mallen-Cooper is an internationally recognised expert in fish ecology and fish passage with over 35 years’ experience in researching and delivering improved outcomes for fish. His research on the ecology of fish migration, fish behaviour and swimming ability led to the first successful fishways for native fish in Australia. Martin has worked with state and federal government agencies, water authorities, engineering firms, local councils, and community groups; mainly in Australia, but also in Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, China, and New Zealand. His work has been published widely in international scientific journals.
Dr Craig Boys – Screens for streams
Millions of native fish are lost from our waterways every year. They’re sucked into pumps and diverted down channels. With them comes debris – leaves, sticks, dirt and algae – that chokes water filters and clogs sprinklers. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. New screens are available that keep native fish where they’re supposed to be – in waterways, not infrastructure. They keep cleaner water flowing to farmers and, because they’re made in Australia to suit Australian conditions, they also keep money in regional communities. Screens for Streams is a new initiative aimed at getting more of these screens in the water. It’s building real partnerships between water users, anglers and researchers to create a better future for our rivers, fisheries and industries.
Luke Pearce – Fish in the Murrumbidgee: before, now and the future
Born and bred in the Bidgee, having spent more than 80% of my life living within the catchment. Passionate about everything outdoors and environmental, particularly everything fishy and aquatic. I feel truly blessed to be one of the few people who is able to say that I am doing for a job what I did as a kid, wondering around our creeks and river systems catching critters, on top of catching them I am doing my very best to improve their prospects!
Cameron Lay – Keeping fish in rivers
The extraction of water from inland rivers presents a significant risk for native fish populations in terms of the loss of eggs, larvae and juveniles from the system. The adoption of technological innovations widely used in North America and Europe presents a significant opportunity to reduce this impact and increase the number of fish in rivers of us all to enjoy.
Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper – Our Darling and Macquarie Rivers 100yrs ago in drought
Dr Mallen-Cooper is an internationally recognised expert in fish ecology and fish passage with over 35 years’ experience in researching and delivering improved outcomes for fish. His research on the ecology of fish migration, fish behaviour and swimming ability led to the first successful fishways for native fish in Australia. Martin has worked with state and federal government agencies, water authorities, engineering firms, local councils, and community groups; mainly in Australia, but also in Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, China, and New Zealand. His work has been published widely in international scientific journals.
Stuart Little – Why fish matter to a water bureaucrat
Not only are the native fish of the Murray-Darling Basin fascinating from an ecological perspective, but they are also a key indicator of the success or failure of water reform initiatives in the Murray-Darling Basin. Stu will talk about why he cares about fish, why the MDBA continues to be involved in native fish recovery, and why recreational fishers are important in achieving better outcomes for fish in the Murray-Darling Basin.
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