Freshwater cod are large, iconic Australian species that need conservation help. Three of the four species are conservation listed with Murray cod’s status only recently being revised downward. If we cannot save these loved, iconic species, then we have little hope for freshwater fish in general in this country.
The aim of this presentation is to provide background and an overview for the Big beasts, gentle souls: Australian freshwater cods special session and prompts for the panel discussion.
It will provide a review of the key influences over these species under the following pillars:
Ecology: What do we know?
History: how have we got here?
Knowledge: Do we have enough to manage properly, what are our gaps?
Management: What has worked, what hasn’t?
The way forward: Future options.
This will be a passionate interpretation of the status and the future for these important species. presented in a dispassionate way reflecting the views of over 40 years experience by a scientist who is no longer restricted by Government employment. This could well be the Good, the Bad and the ugly – so turn up and strap yourselves in, listen, then contribute to the panel discussion session.