Fish Monitoring
Native fish are good biotic indicators of the overall health of a river system or waterway. They require good quality water that is oxygenated and disease free. Being reliant on underwater habitats, the quantity and permeance of water is crucial to their survival, with particular types of flows required for lifecycle stages. Fish also require healthy habitats for food, shade and shelter from currents and predators.
Native fish occur in most of our waterways, even in urban areas. Native fish are quite small and not considered good eating. However since European settlement there have been many impacts, including waterpollution and loss of habitat, that have resulted in a reduced abundance and spread of our native fish. Collecting information about where native fish are and how many are there gives us a good indication of which sections of our waterways are relatively healthy and which sections may require natural resource management works to improve them so that they are once again suitable for our native fish.
Monitoring program
Starting in 2006 NRM Education/Waterwatch has been undertaking a yearly native fish monitoring program. It is focused on collecting information about the presence and absence of native fish (a fish ‘snapshot’). The aim is to support other, comprehensive research into native fish. Our data is provided to Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board staff to help them make decisions about the management of our natural resources. Limited fish studies had been carried out across the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges region so a community based annual spring monitoring program provided the opportunity to gather valuable spatial information on native fish populations.
Objectives
1.) Sample and record biological data from strategic field sites located in the region with water monitoring volunteers over a 3 year period, to examine the distribution and abundance of native fish species.
2.) Collect data following known and agreed to sampling procedures for quality assurance and control.
3.) Use collected data as a tool to educate the community of catchment management issues.
4.) Use collected data to assist in identifying sites that are critical conservation areas and link to programs involved in river restoration.
5.) Link to and complement other biological sampling data including any fish monitoring programs undertaken by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Native Fish Australia (SA) and others.
Sampling techniques
Before commencing sampling, Waterwatch applies for an S59 Ministerial Exemption under the Fisheries Act in order to capture and release native fish species in the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges region using fyke nets. To sample a site, 2 nets are set and left overnight for approximately an 18 hour time period. Any fish caught are identified using identification books, and photographs of the fish and their distinguishing features are taken to be confirmed by fish experts. Fish handling is minimised to prevent harm.
Site selection
Many of the sampling sites are current water monitoring sites. These locations were chosen because physical and biological data is available for them, which may be used in drawing conclusions on the presence or absence of native fish species. Monitoring is conducted by NRM Education - Waterwatch staff with the involvement and assistance of water monitoring volunteers.
Results
Have a look at at our Fish Snapshot Posters by CLICKING HERE for monitoring results from the program.
Get involved
For more information, please contact your local NRM Education office.
or
Enter your details in our Biological Monitoring Expression of Interest Form
Learn more about our native fish and visit Something Fishy.