Australian river screens saving fish, farms and rivers

University
Charles Sturt University
Awards category
The Problem Solver Award
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Australia's rivers support native wildlife, farming communities and afood and fibre industry worth billions of dollars. But every year, millions ofnative fish are drawn into irrigation pumps and water diversion channels,threatening already depleted fish populations.

Charles Sturt University helped develop fish-protection screens designedspecifically for Australian rivers, native fish species and irrigation systems.

Working with government, industry and farming communities, researchersdemonstrated that the screens can reduce fish losses by more than 90 per centwhile also improving water quality and reducing debris entering irrigationsystems.

Today, 45 sites across New South Wales protect an estimated 1.48 millionnative fish each year, with the potential to safeguard millions more.

By proving that healthy rivers and productiveagriculture can go hand in hand, this Australian innovation is helping secure abetter future for both regional communities and native wildlife.

Craig, Joachim and Lee inspect the Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme site which pumps water out of the Macquarie River in Central West NSW. Pictured: Principal Fisheries Research Scientist with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Dr Craig Boys, Post Doctoral Adjunct Researcher with the Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute Dr Joachim Bretzel, and Executive Director of the Charles Sturt University Gulbali Institute Professor Lee Baumgartner. Credit: Tom Rayner

Craig assesses a fish protection screen in motion. Pictured: Principal Fisheries Research Scientist with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Dr Craig Boys. Credit: Joachim Bretzel

Joachim sets up netting in the irrigation channel as part of the research program. Pictured: Post Doctoral Adjunct Researcher with the Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute Dr Joachim Bretzel. Credit: Julius Bretzel

An impinged trout cod is observed at a simulated fish screen. Pictured: N/A. Credit: Joachim Bretzel

An Vu works in the flume setup at the lab in Albury where fish screening technology is tested. Pictured: Research Fellow and Vietnam Lead for the FishTech program with the Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute Dr An Vi Vu. Credit: Joachim Bretzel

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