Heavy traffic on fish highway

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Heavy traffic on fish highway QPIF News release | 06 March, 2012

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With 23 years as a fisheries biologist, Tim Marsden knows a thing or two about fish and how to build a fishway (a structure that allows fish to move past any barriers in rivers and creeks).

The key to it all, he confessed, is akin to what Hollywood actors would describe as method acting.

"When we're building a new fishway, the thought process starts in a bit of a different place. You've got to think like a fish."

"That's not always an easy thing to do, and I've been doing this for over 20 years. I'm still learning," said Tim.

This was the line of thinking when Tim and his team were involved in the construction of three fishways - a collaboration with the Fitzroy Basin Association through the Caring for Our Country program - at Byfield National Park near Yeppoon last year. Recent sampling has confirmed the proficiency of the new structures.

"We recorded over 2000 fish successfully moving through one of the fishways in just eight hours, which is pretty amazing. It's very satisfying to see as there's no doubt that these fish would not have been able to migrate upstream without the fishway," he said.

Several different species were recorded during the sampling period including rainbow fish, empire gudgeons bullrouts and eels.

However, the most surprising thing was the discovery of freshwater mullet, a fish that had not previously been seen north of the Burnett Region.

"It's certainly not something we expected to find, but that's why we love coming to Byfield. It's a unique place in terms of fish habitat, being a transition zone between tropical and temperate fish communities," said Tim.

A previous tour de force for several species of fish, journeying upstream through the creeks of Byfield is now something of a walk in the park for many of its residents.

"It's good to see that the fishways work, and are being well used by the fish and other animals. We've even found a water dragon helping himself to a few of the smaller fish in the fishway.

"Different species, such as juvenile freshwater mullet and barramundi migrate from marine environments into freshwater habitats to grow and feed, before migrating back to the sea to breed. Fishways play a critical role in facilitating this process."

After 13 years with Fisheries Queensland and a decade with the equivalent body in New South Wales, Tim estimates that he's built about 60 fishways throughout the country. He's showing no signs of stopping now though.

"It's something enjoyable to do every day. For me it's all about helping the fish. I know that sounds corny, but it's true. We also get to travel to some really interesting places, which isn't bad either."

The job, however, is not without its fair share of challenges, according to Darren.

"Much of our work happens in very remote locations, so there are significant logistical issues to be managed," he said.

"Varying climate conditions mean that we often only have a small window to get things done, so that also plays a big part in our planning.

"The fishway at Waterpark Creek was built during a one-week window in 2010, when flows were low enough to allow construction, so preparation was crucial.

"Just three days after construction was finished, the fishway was flooded with several metres of water.

"Although we were well prepared, for me it highlighted the fact that extreme weather events can throw all of that planning out the window if you're not careful," he said.

Construction of the fishways at Byfield National Park and the subsequent monitoring is a joint venture between Fisheries Queensland and the Fitzroy Basin Association.