Tyenna River ‘Willow Warriors’ back in action
The Derwent Catchment Project’s Willow Warriors were back in action on the Tyenna River over the weekend, continuing restoration works around Maydena. It was a productive effort with more than 80 new native trees planted, pine wildlings treated, and maintenance carried out on more than 100 previously planted trees.
It is great to see steady progress along the upper reaches of the Tyenna River as works continue to improve the overall health of the catchment. The Inland Fisheries Service contributes to this important work and thanks all of those who are involved.
The Tyenna River Willow Warriors are always looking for new recruits. If you are interested in contributing to the overall health of this fantastic fishery, contact Morgan McPherson from the Derwent Catchment Project by emailing morgan@derwentcatchment.org.
The next Willow Warriors field day is planned for Saturday, March 28. New and returning volunteers are welcome.
Clean Up Australia Day
Inland Fisheries Service staff were out across the state lending a hand last week – removing litter and helping restore the natural beauty of our inland waterways in the lead-up to Clean Up Australia Day. Unfortunately, it’s a familiar story: the stunning environments that support our trout fisheries are too often marred by rubbish left behind by a small minority. Every piece of litter affects not only the landscape, but also the health of the waterways, the wildlife that relies on them, and the fishing experience we all treasure.
The message is simple: if you can take it in, you can take it out. What may seem like a small act – picking up a stray wrapper, packing out discarded fishing line, or removing rubbish left at a popular access point – adds up when many people pitch in. Those small contributions create a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable environment for everyone who spends time on the water.
We encourage all anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to do their part. Whether you join an organised clean-up event or take a few minutes during your next fishing trip, every action helps protect the environments that support our freshwater fisheries.
Success of egg hatching box trial confirmed
The Inland Fisheries Service recently completed an electrofishing survey of the Calder and Inglis Rivers in the state’s northwest. This survey followed the release of about 7000 wild rainbow trout as part of the egg hatching box trial conducted in spring last year, which was facilitated under permit by local volunteers.
Pleasingly, plentiful rainbow trout fingerlings were found around the release sites. The fish are developing exceptionally well and are now in the 80 – 115 mm size range. This is an exceptional growth rate. Dispersal of these fish has commenced, with one rainbow trout fingerling found for every 10m of river around the release sites.
Several cohorts of brown trout were also located, ranging from last year’s spawning progeny through to adult fish. Also present in the rivers was an impressive array of native species including grayling, blackfish, eels and multiple species of galaxias. On the back of the apparent success of this trial, further use of egg hatching boxes is planned for later in the year.
Online training resource case study – eradication of common carp from lakes Crescent and Sorell
Tasmania in Action: Case Studies for Conservation Learning brings together practical tools and video-based case studies drawn from Tasmania’s public, private and research sectors – sharing hundreds of years of collective experience in effective conservation management.
Developed through a partnership between the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), the University of Tasmania, and Our Common Place, and with valuable input from Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Inland Fisheries Service and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, the initiative is designed to strengthen conservation practice and professional capacity across Australia.
The case study on the “Eradication of common carp from lakes Crescent and Sorell, Tasmania” highlights the efforts undertaken by the Inland Fisheries Service to eradicate carp from both systems, why and how it was undertaken, and the techniques used are detailed to allow for potential application to other aquatic systems.
- View the complete training module: Tasmania in Action: Case Studies for Conservation Learning
- View the carp eradication case study: Tasmania in Action: Case Studies for Conservation Learning – Eradication of common carp from lakes Crescent and Sorell, Tasmania
This online training module and case studies featuring real-world conservation management programs, is a valuable learning resource that will strengthen the knowledge and understanding of those who work, or are seeking to work, in protected area management.
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