Nominations for classification

[Nick_Thorne]

Hi all,

Following on from a discussion in the Classification of freshwater systems topic, Bruce Smith suggested that we start a new topic calling for nominations for particualr streams to be classified.

Whilst I do not normally like to try and limit the scope of the discussion in a topic, I would ask posters in this case to try and limit the discussion here to nominations and discussion about the relative merits of those nominations. Other more general, but related discussion I would ask be posted in the original topic (see link above)

The classifications are defined in the original topic, the ones being discussed here are

Native Fish Water

Trout Water

Mixed Fishery Water

Well people, what rivers streams and other waters would you nominate for the above classifications?

Nick

[ This Message was edited by: Nick_Thorne on 19-11-2004 09:56 ]

[DougGrant]

Nick,

Its a commendable post, and certainly something which needs to be worked through.

However, i am not prepared to offer my own opinion, as i recognize that i am not an active biological scientist, and therefore cannot possibly be aware of all of the ecological requirements of certain fish species.

I also would not be aware of the ecological and geologcal values that particular rivers posess, and it is these factors which would determine whether one river system is more suitable than another for certain fish species an subsequent classification.

My own point of view is that the major catchments need to be assessed by the relevant fisheries biologists or commissioned ecologists, so that THEY can determine which are most suitable, as their experience and knowledge is far greater than mine.

[enahs]

Hi Nick
I will nominate the list of River and their tributaries as Trout Rivers

Kiewa River and Tributaries upstream of Keegan's Bridge{Derang}

Mitta Mitta River and Tributaries upstream of Peters Bridge {Talloon} to Dartmouth Pondage.

Tanjil River and Tributaries,upstream of the junction with the Latrobe River.
I would also like to include the Latrobe River and Tributaries upstream of the junction of the Tanjil River.

The Goulburn River and Tributaries upstream of Trawool Bridge.

I would also think that it would be appopriate to include the Jamieson River,Howqua River,Delatite River,Big River and the Upper Goulburn River.

I also would guess there are some more rivers that others will add to this list,I believe what I have listed along with the other couple of Dammed Rivers,The King River and Thompson River are all very suitable rivers to be Classified as Trout Waters

As for Mixed Fisheries I can only really think of one good example at the moment and that would be the Yarra River.
[b]
I will take the modest way out on Native Rivers and not comment
I am sure there are plenty who can list appropriate rivers.

I will also say these are my own personal thoughts and would be a great starting point on Classifying waters suitable for trout.

[goodoo]

I'd like to see the Goodradigbee River in NSW, and the Yea River, King Parrot Creek, Hughes Creek and Seven Creeks and the entire Ovens River system all become dedicated upland native fish waters.

I'd like to see Trout removed as far as possible from these waters with Rotenone, with Trout suppression methods (eg. netting, spotlighting spawning Trout on gravel bars) used to reduce their numbers to almost zero where total eradication is not possible.

In leaving out upland rivers like the Mitta Mitta above Dartmouth and lower Gibb River I am in no way supporting claims these rivers are not suitable upland native fish habitat - they are. But I sadly know that Trout removal proposals for these waters are not realistic.

I'd also like to see some upland rivers/streams containing both Trout and remnant upland native fish populations being declared as Special Mixed waters, where it is acknowledged that upland native fish species still survive in remnant populations and as a result all stockings of Trout in these waters will immediately cease. These waters should contain only Trout resulting from natural recruitment - in that way, the river is more balanced ecologically and remnant upland native fish populations have a better chance of maintaing themselves. Upland rivers receiving this category would include the upper Murrumbigee from below cursed Tantangara Dam right through to the ACT border and the Mitta Mitta above Dartmouth.

There are other waters worthy of "Upland Native Fish" designation outside of the Murray-Darling Basin which I have not focussed on. My focus currently is on the Murray-Darling Basin. However, this issue should be dealt with too. One species that springs to mind is Southern River Blackfish. Strongholds for the species like the Gellibrand River should also have all Trout removed and become dedicated waters for these native fish.


Simon

[Nick_Thorne]

I will stick to waters I know.

I nominate all coastal catchments east of the Snowy river in Victoria as Native Fish Waters. Where the line is drawn, east or west of the Snowy (that is whether it is included or not) I suggest might be subject to debate. Peronally I would include the Snowy and its tributaries downstream of Jindabyne, but if the line is east then I would want the Snowy to be at least a Mixed Fishery.

The Native Fish Water classification probably should be carried up the NSW coast as far as Nowra (Shoalhaven River), although I admit I do not know all the streams in that area, so some might warrant other classification.

The Goulburn downstream from Eildon to Trawool I would suggest is best as a Trout Water. I think Eildon itself should be a Mixed Fishery and its tributaries probably also. Don't forget that Murray cod have been known to breed in some of the tributaries, as well as Macquarie perch (the stocked brood stock left over from the previous Victorian breeding program, although how they are still going I do not know).

Aside from angling considerations I think we probably should set aside aome waters in the extreme upstream headwaters as special cases for species like mountain galaxias. I am aware of some current research being done on this group of fish and early results look as though there is going to be some big surprises coming out of it.

One such case is the very upper streamlets on Mt Kosiusko. These waters are inhabited by one of the varieties of mountain galaxias. Unfortunately these waters are also currently being colonnised by trout. Each year the trout go a bit furter upstream, passing one small barrier after another (I can't help but think that there may be some human intervention here). Anyway surely this must be an iconic situation. Here we have a native fish living right at the top of australia and we are letting its existance be threatened by exotic fish.

Enough for now...

Nick

[Lure_obsessed]

I was going to suggest some of the back country streams like Simon has suggested eg the goodradigbee.

I am going to throw in a few mixed fisheries. I think that the Queanbeyan should continue as a mixed fishery but that more MPs Cod and TCs need to be put into both the river and Googong Dam. I think that the Tumut should be managed as a mixed fishery, adult natives could be stocked into the upper regions if these are suitable for these stretches.

I also think that careful thought should be put into the suggestion of establishing MDB natives in eastern watersheds like in Gippsland. It maybe that there are other natives like bass and blackfish that deserve a look in these areas first.

Nick

[Shining_Light]

Simon,

Are you just proposing the Yea River and King Parrot Creek in isolation or does it include tributaries as well?



_________________


Kel: Bugga snagged again!

[Hewie]

[Fishing_Fanatic]

hehe hewie you make it sound so good i gusse were lucky we live close to it with them 20cm what did u catch them on and also do they spawn up into rivers like trout and is there cod and yellas in the deltite creek?? im going up camping at the delite this weekend hope my motor dosnt shit itself and ill be goign for yellas with worms and yabbie cocktails?and jiging for reddfin and takeing an ugly stick lite with 6lb line and ganna catch carp on corn ?
so im all set for the weekend lol

_________________
Early to bed...early to rise...fish all day...make up lies.
,Cheers Chris

[Lure_obsessed]

I think cod move upstream when they are looking for spawning areas. They probably only really look for the right water temperature and suitable snags to deposit their eggs on. they don't need spawning gravel beds like trout.

Nick