Native Fish Strategy – 2008 Native Fish Awareness Week

Last year, the Native Fish Strategy team spoke with communities along the Murray River, from Mildura to the mouth of the river in South Australia.

In 2008, Native Fish Awareness Week is from 19–23 May. The team will visit central–west New South Wales, from Narrandera to Tamworth. There are over twenty different events which are open to the public, with the main events being the open community forums. 

All public events for Native Fish Awareness Week 2008 are free. 

The open community forums are from 7pm – 8:30pm, and are happening on: 

• Monday 19 May, Fishy Festivities at Forbes
  at Forbes Services Memorial Club, Forbes.
• Tuesday 20 May, Macquarie River Magic
  in the Starlite Rooms at the Dubbo SL Club Resort,  Dubbo.
• Thursday 22 May, Talking Fish in Tamworth
  in the Grand Ballroom of the Wests Diggers Club, Tamworth. 

Timetable for Native Fish Awareness Week

All public events for Native Fish Awareness Week 2008 are free. Events will start promptly, so please arrive early.  Flyers for all public events can be found from the Native Fish Awareness Week link at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Monday 19 May:

‘Spark up an interest in native fish’  
Electrofishing demonstration at the Buckingbong boat ramp, and native fish hatchery tour at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre.
Buckingbong Road, Narrandera
9:00am – 12noon   

‘Spotting Purple Spots’ 
Discover how two threatened species, the Purple–spotted gudgeon and the Southern pygmy perch, are being brought back from the brink of extinction through restocking and breeding programs in the Lachlan catchment. 
Burrawang West Station, Ootha
4pm – 5:30pm

‘Condo Carp Caper’
Lachlan River Carp cleanup project, including a display of Carp separation cages and an electrofishing demonstration. Also, hear the latest science on the Olive perchlet, which was recently rediscovered after nearly 50 years.
By the river at Condobolin showgrounds, Condobolin
3:30pm – 5pm  

‘Fishy Festivities at Forbes’
Open community forum. Light refreshments provided.
Forbes Services Memorial Club, 41-43 Templar Street, Forbes
7pm – 8:30pm 

To RSVP/enquiries for all Monday’s events and ‘Macquarie River Magic’ on Tuesday, contact Dr Janet Pritchard.
Email: Janet.Pritchard@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Office ph: (02) 6298 0811
Mobile ph: 0488 244 781

Tuesday 20 May:

‘The Macquarie Meander’
1km walk along the Macquarie River in Dubbo, including longstem planting demonstration, Bushcare riparian works, and other projects helping to bring back native fish, followed by afternoon tea.
Tamworth Street Carpark to Sandy Beach, Dubbo
3pm – 4:30pm

Wednesday 21 May:

Thursday 22 May:

‘Noticing the Namoi’
Walk and talk tour of some of the local river rehabilitation works in the Narrabri area, with morning tea provided.
‘Iona’, property at the end of Island Road, Narrabri
10:00am – 11:00am 

‘Native Fish Fry in Narrabri’
Inspect one of the largest native fish hatcheries in New South Wales, the Namoi Valley Aquafarm, followed by a BBQ lunch.
Jacks Creek Road, Narrabri (approximately 10km south of Narrabri)
11:30am – 12:30pm 

‘Wandering through Wetlands’
Visit some of the Wetlands on Farms and Namoi Demonstration Reach sites to see what’s being done to help native fish in the Namoi, with afternoon tea provided.
Gulligal Lagoons Travelling Stock Reserve, off Kamilaroi Highway (approximately 30km north of Gunnedah)
2pm – 3:30pm 

‘Talking Fish in Tamworth’
Open community forum. Light refreshments provided.
Grand Ballroom, Wests Diggers Club, Kable Avenue, Tamworth
7pm – 8:30pm  

Friday 23 May:

‘Finding out about Fishways’
Visit the Manilla weirs and fishways to hear about helping our native fish move about our waterways, as well as what the local community is doing in the area.
Town Weir Park, off Barraba Street, Manilla
8:30am – 9:30am  

‘Meandering along the Mooki’
Walk and talk tour of some of the local river rehabilitation works in the Caroona area, with morning tea provided.
Walhallow Reserve, off Walhallow Road, Caroona
9am – 10am 

To RSVP/enquiries for all Thursday and Friday’s events, contact Anthony Townsend.
Email: Anthony.Townsend@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Office ph: (02) 6765 4243
Mobile ph: 0427 782 701