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PIRSA News June 2023
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- Field demonstration busts electrofishing myths
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PIRSA News
Field demonstration busts electrofishing myths
An electrofishing field demonstration was recently held in Renmark, led by scientists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. The event was organised as part of the Lower Murray Flow-MER (Monitoring, Evaluation and Research) Program.
"Having had many conversations with recreational fishers in the Riverland, we knew there was strong interest in seeing electrofishing in action," SARDI Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology Program Leader, Associate Professor Qifeng Ye, said.
Around 70 attendees had a chance to learn from SARDI freshwater fish ecologist Chris Bice, who gave a brief introduction to electrofishing. This technique is commonly used by fisheries researchers to catch freshwater fish in rivers and lakes.
This method generates a field of electricity in the water, which temporarily stuns fish in the immediate vicinity (about five metres). The stunned fish are scooped up with a dip net, measured, tagged, and returned to the water. When performed correctly, electrofishing is safe for fish, and for humans operating the electrofishing unit.
During the day, attendees were able to get a close look at Henri, one of SARDI's electrofishing boats, while it was anchored on the riverbank. They then split into smaller groups, boarded pontoon boats and watched researchers onboard Henri conduct electrofishing from a safe distance.
Henri then joined the pontoon boats, where researchers demonstrated how they identify, measure and tag fish.
Participants clearly enjoyed watching the sampling method in action. Some were surprised by the targeted nature of the technique, with fewer fish caught than expected.
They were also impressed by the number of species caught. This included small-bodied native species (including unspecked hardyhead and Murray rainbowfish) and introduced species (such as eastern gambusia) they had never seen before, as well as a healthy, large golden perch and introduced species like redfin, goldfish and common carp.
Find out more about the Flow-MER program in the Lower Murray.