Join us on this episode of OzCast as we look beneath the surface at the often-overlooked realm of small-bodied threatened fish species in Australian waterways with Dr. Nick Whiterod, a seasoned marine ecologist with over twenty years of dedicated research and conservation efforts.  Dr. Nick Whiterod holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University, assessing the bioenergetic implications of large impoundments on Murray cod. His career has been marked by a profound commitment to the conservation of Australia’s freshwater ecosystems, particularly focusing on small-bodied fish and crayfish species ..read more

What's behind the horrifying phenomenon of fish kills in Australian inland waterways? Join us as we unearth the many fish kills that have taken place recently with Prof. Lee Baumgartner – the leading scientists who is involved in the government enquiry investigating the events. Throughout the episode, Lee sheds light on the environmental culprits behind these disasters, stressing the importance of responsible river management going forward. From dissecting blackwater events, hydrology, bacteria and algae, river infrastructure and flow, the ‘perfect storm’ that leads to a fish kill is disc ..read more

In this episode of OzCast, fisheries scientist Craig Boys dives beneath the surface of the Hexham Swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland with ecological and cultural significance. Craig highlights the intricate relationship between aquatic ecosystems and human interventions, particularly focusing on the impact of floodgates installed for flood mitigation.  Throughout the episode, we explore the consequential shifts in fish and prawn populations, the resurgence of native species, and the broader implications for fishery productivity.  This episode is not only an educational journey throu ..read more

In this episode of OzCast, Jason Tanner dives beneath the surface of South Australian waters to unveil how he is working to “green the blue” by dropping sandbags in strategic areas to bring back the lost seagrass meadows of yesteryear. After spending over 25 years developing this technique from the ground up, he explains how his work went from an idea to a now industrial-level program that sees tens of thousands of bags being deployed every year.   Jason has 30 years’ experience overall in marine ecology, working in tropical and temperate systems. He has published over 80 papers, most in ..read more

On this episode of OzCast, Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper re-joins the show to look below the surface at one of the most topical questions circulating our inland fishing communities – should Australia release the Carp herpes virus (cyprinid herpesvirus 3)?   Martin, who has spent decades looking into the health of our freshwater rivers in Australia, sets the record straight on how the carp virus would work if released and offers his expert opinion on which direction the Australian government should take. Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper is a highly respected river ecologist. He was born in 1958, in ..read more

In this episode of OzCast, Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine ecosystems, Professor Kendrick dives beneath the surface on all the trials and tribulations of bringing these lost meadows back to their former glory – from small-scale projects, all the way to industry-leading community-led projects like Seeds For ..read more

PART 2: In this episode of OzCast, Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine ecosystems, Professor Kendrick dives beneath the surface on all the trials and tribulations of bringing these lost meadows back to their former glory – from small-scale projects, all the way to industry-leading community-led projects like Se ..read more

In this episode of OzCast, we look below the surface of the flow of water in the Murray-Darling Basin as a critical factor that affects the health of the entire ecosystem and why it is fundamental for native fish. Iain Ellis, with 23 years in the management of fish production in the Murray Darling Basin, makes clear that flowing waters from the upper reaches to the lower stretches and mouths of rivers are critical for thriving fish populations.   He outlines that for more than 150 years, these waterways have been impacted by dams, weirs, regulation, diversion and land clearing all of ..read more

In episode five of OzCast, we look below the surface with fisheries scientist Dr Craig Boys to address what he considers one of biggest threats to native fish across Australia - unscreened irrigation pumps. In this in-depth chat, Craig explains why 97 million fish are killed every year in NSW alone due to unscreened irrigation pumps. With the understanding that there are additional loses in other states, his research paints a very grim picture for native fish survival. Craig explains the use of fish screens in the United States has been a requirement for decades but not here in Australia. Howe ..read more

Prominent historian Anna Clark guides us through Australia's fishing history, delving into its pre-European settlement origins and highlighting the pivotal events and encounters that have shaped the present-day sport. With meticulous research dating back to the 1700s, Anna provides a vivid depiction of the past fishing landscape. She dispels the misconception that James Cook was the first foreign fisherman in Australia, revealing the annual pilgrimages of neighboring cultures from the north long before Cook arrived in Botany Bay aboard The Endeavour in 1770. Anna Clark, a highly respected hist ..read more