Fish-demic

NATIVE fish could breed freely and spawn a new generation to multiply exponentially, according to Dubbo fishing advocate Matt Hansen.

“In NSW, we stock two to three million native fish a year, but at the same time, we suck out 50 to 100 million fish through pumps every single year, it’s absolute madness,” Mr Hansen told

He was speaking at the public launch of a project at the Trangie to Nevertire Irrigation Scheme, where a complex fish screen was fitted last week.

“The Macquarie River has had a big win,” he said.

“This project has now set the benchmark for best practice when it comes to pumping water from rivers, with 33 scheme properties now fish friendly.”

Shane Smith manages the irrigation scheme and said being a keen fisher himself, there are benefits for all – including the fact approximately 10 per cent of lower Macquarie irrigation water will now be protected by fish screens.

“Every time I shut our pumps off, I’m always pulling fish out of the well that’s up on top there and replacing them back into the river,” Mr Smith said.

At times he’s seen untold numbers of endangered native species such as Blue Gudgeon sucked up the pumps and put into the irrigation channels.

“During warmer months we get a lot of slime and things like that in the river, that in turn blocks lateral irrigators up which stops water flows and stops them being consistent across paddocks. Our operation costs are now going to be lower because we won’t have to backflush pumps two or three times a day.”

The fish screens could also see lowered power costs because the lessening of junk and debris being