Community jumping in to rescue little fish

Community jump in to rescue little fish

Have you ever heard of a Murray hardyhead or a southern pygmy perch? How about a southern purple-spotted gudgeon or a Yarra pygmy perch? Me either. These small-bodied fish are generally not well known to we landfolk, but they’re incredibly important to our waterways. And they’re fighting for their survival.

Dr Sylvia Zukowski is one of the scientists endeavouring to save these and other rare or endangered endemic fish and frogs. After eight years of study and ten years in the field her credentials are numerous, but broadly speaking, she’s an aquatic ecologist. Together with her team at Aquasave Nature Glenelg Trust (ANGT) she’s putting all her skills and experience to work in protecting these little fish.

While they may be small in size, their contribution to the wider ecosystem is huge: as part of the food chain, through helping to control mosquito populations as well as feeding on algae and thereby acting as filters for the water. Sylvia tells me that of the sixteen fish species native to South Australia more than half are under threat. But through the hard work of Sylvia and her colleagues, the generosity of land-holders and ‘citizen science’, impacts are being made to ensure these pipsqueaks of the fish world survive.

The small team at ANGT is varied, with each member bringing a specific area of expertise. Sylvia’s double degree in ecology and social science means she’s across what’s happening both in and out of the water. Her in-water fish knowledge goes deep (pardon the pun) as she seeks to understand not only how the fish and frogs are faring in their current environments and taking steps to ensure their survival, but also to understand all of their behaviours. Out of the water, Sylvia studies the impact of human behaviour on these creatures and engages with stakeholders and hobbyists who have both commercial and recreational interests in the habitat these fish need to thrive. In short, she talks to local fishing enthusiasts to learn how they think about fish.

Here’s how it works: local landowners ‘host’ these small-bodied fish in their dams and wetlands, creating surrogate homes for the fish. Fish are then bred in these dams and released back into their former wild habitats.

The work being done to save these fish expands well beyond the research lab. It’s also about cleverly engaging with communities and bringing everyday citizens into the conversation and encouraging them to get knee deep in water – or even just arm deep – to help the ANGT team undertake the enormous task of saving these fish.

Here’s how it works: local landowners ‘host’ these small-bodied fish in their dams and wetlands, creating surrogate homes for the fish. Fish are then bred in these dams and released back into their former wild habitats. One of the dams is located at Softfoot Sanctuary, a five hundred acre, privately owned family farm. Originally dedicated to breeding world-class alpacas, Softfoot is now an amazing example of the generosity of everyday citizens in action. The property is a sanctuary and ‘genetic ark’ for endangered Australian marsupials, has a large forestry project aimed at reducing their carbon footprint and now also manages a breeding dam for Yarra pygmy perch.

ANGT have also worked with Investigator College at Victor Harbor to set up breeding tanks and tubs for breeding southern purple spotted gudgeon and Yarra pygmy perch for wild release. Students have been involved in every stage of the project including set up, fish management, genetic programs and release. And who knows, among them may be the next aquatic ecologist, conscious fisherman or woman, or social scientist ready to jump in and keep these little fish swimming.

If you would like to know more, engage as an educator or have a dam that you think may be of possible use to the team, contact Sylvia at sylvia.zukowski@aquasave.com.au