Macquarie RiverWatch launches

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Macquarie RiverWatch launches

Two not-for-profit organisations, RiverSmart Australia Ltd and the Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association are putting their money where their mouth is and have launched Macquarie RiverWatch with a web site, 1800 number and community service announcements.
Matt Hansen, of the Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association said, 'We decided a few months ago that more needed to be done to focus attention on issues like illegal fishing and dumping, which are spoiling the river for everyone.  So the idea of adapting the successful neighbourhood watch concept for the river seemed like the direction to go.  We hope people get on board so this minority of people who continue to abuse the river can get the message.'

The campaign is designed to raise the awareness of locals along the Macquarie River to various issues, and, like the well known Neighbourhood Watch concept, encourage them to 'keep an eye out' for inappropriate, anti-social or illegal activities, and to report these for followup action by the appropriate authorities.
The program is modelled on one that has been operating in the Sunraysia region of Victoria for several years (See http://www.riverwatch.com.au/about.php)

The campaign is most definitely NOT about encouraging vigilante type behaviour, but to help provide people with a central contact point to then be directed elsewhere for followup by the relevant authorities. RiverWatch is also about raising community awareness of iconic and threatened species, and their habitat needs, such as platypus, the (now presumed extinct on this river) Macquarie Perch plus the endangered or threatened Trout cod, Catfish and Silver perch. 
Issues that Macquarie RiverWatch proposes to address initially:
- Illegal fishing with traps, nets, set lines etc
- Fishing out of season for Murray cod
- Fishing by the rules – and respecting bag, size limits, etc
- Recognising and taking care of threatened fish species
- Illegal dumping and litter hot spots
- Sites of heavily polluted run-off, especially after storms
- Where platypus and other icon species are seen – continuation of PlatypusWatch and more
- Be alert and reporting any outbreak of new aquatic weeds.

A series of community service announcements will screen on the WIN network and run for several weeks.  'If sponsors can be found we hope to develop more community service announcements and also have them screening more often. This is about raising community awareness and encouraging them to do the right thing. As our slogan says, "the river is for everyone", said Dr Bill Phillips, CEO of RiverSmart.

The televised community service announcements also feature some well known locals, with endorsements included from the mayors of Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine and Warren, plus local state member Troy Grant and Federal member, Mark Coulton.  'We're also delighted that Fishing Australia guru, Rob Paxavanos, agreed to endorse the campaign and appear in the community service announcements' said Matt Hansen.  'Having these community leaders supporting Riverwatch should tell people how seriously we're taking these issues.  It's time to show some pride in the mighty Macquarie so that it will continue to be a great place to going fishing, camping, swimming and boating.'

Macquarie RiverWatch, modelled on a similar program in Victoria, is also about good news stories.  'We're also keen to use the 1800 number to build up a better picture of where platypus are found along the Macquarie, and, we have our fingers crossed that just maybe there are still a few Macquarie perch hiding out there somewhere.  We've heard a few reports through the grapevine that they might not be extinct on the Macquarie – after which the species was named – so we're calling on all anglers to try to find them,' said Dr Phillips.

Those calling 1800 RIVERWATCH (748 379) will be able to record their information, anonymously if they wish, and it will be passed on to the relevant authorities.

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