Creating oxygen refuges in the Darling River

The beloved native fish  within the Darling River (paaka) needs our help urgently! If everyone who reads this plan donates at least $2 or more then you could “do your bit” to create a small oxygenated rescue centre for the native fish in the Darling River. Why does the native fish need this? The Darling River near Menindee, NSW has recently had severe fish kills due to low oxygen in the water and a severe blue green algae outbreak. This means a large amount of native fish have died, especially the fish that us, recreational anglers, like to target. The plan below won’t be the “life saver” for all the native fish that are currently struggling in the Darling River. However, it could potentially create a small oxygenated refuge within the Darling River that will could save a small handful of fish, and to me anything is better than nothing.  Who are we? OzFish unlimited is a non-for profit organization that is simply about giving the proud recreational angling community of Australia a way to get active in habitat protection and restoration programs. The mission for Ozfish Unlimited is to “to help every Australian recreational fisher become a proud contributor to a better fishing future”. By protecting the native fishes future will mean our children, and their children, will have the same amazing opportunities of creating memories that we cherish, while undertaken the best sport in the world, fishing. Where are we from? Sunraysia Ozfish is a chapter of Ozfish Unlimited and we are based in Mildura, Victoria. If you would like to know more then head to our Facebook page or check out the Ozfish Unlimited webpage https://ozfish.org.au | https://www.facebook.com/OzFishUnlimited/ How will the funds be used? Sunraysia Ozfish will be installing aerators into the Lower Darling River to assist with the native fish that are currently being starved of oxygen due to low to no flow and severe blue green algae outbreaks. The aerators will create a small oxygenated refuge for the native fish to find and escape the current conditions. The rescue attempt was not a long-term solution but the process would help counteract areas of low oxygen levels which have presented in the river due to low flows. Sunraysia Ozfish have had two aerators donated from Solair Group and BCF/Ozfish Unlimited and with the funds being raised through this “go fund me campaign” we will install more aerators and purchase the required equipment to undertake the installation. The pumps will be in place for as long as the funding allows it to be. I (Braeden lampard) am the president of Sunraysia Ofish and i, along with other Ozfish members, volunteer out time. I will be withdrawing the funding into my personal account to allow the purchase of the aerators and required equipment to install the aerators into the Lower Darling River. Ozfish Unlimited will also be receiving the funding to reimburse the company as Ozfish Unlimited purchased the aerators to allow a quick installment.   The Darling River, why is it important and why should you care? The Darling River is home to a significant population to Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Research has shown that the Golden Perch that are spawned in the Darling River when in flood contribute significantly to populations in the mid-Murray, including the Edward–Wakool and Goulburn rivers, right through to the lower lakes in South Australia and the Darling River itself. The Darling River, downstream of Menindee, also supports one on of the healthiest Murray Cod population in the Murray Darling Basin, the population includes a mixture of ages and sizes, which indicates regular breeding success in the past. So, it may not impact you now, but in the future there could potentially be less native fish to catch as a result of this fish kill. So please do your bit and like and share this post! Every little bit will help the native fish population within the Darling River Also please donate!