Modern fish-protection screens are being implemented globally to conserve aquatic ecosystems and safeguard water infrastructure. In Australia, 48 water diversions are expected to be modernised by 2026, protecting over 1.7 million native fish annually and delivering over 5,000 ML/d of cleaner water to support irrigated agriculture.
As the rate of uptake accelerates, there is a need to improve the affordability of installations, foster industry stewardship of screening, and advance technological innovations. Critically, with reduced funds available for financial incentives, there is a need to make best use of public investment by prioritising water diversions for screening – across a range of spatial scales.
This presentation will describe a prioritisation framework developed for New South Wales, incorporating the physical, ecological, economic, and social considerations. The goal is to support natural resource managers tasked with triaging resource allocation to maximise benefits of screening and complement other conservation actions.
It is hoped the framework will facilitate discussion and coordination across jurisdictions and stakeholders, leading to the effective implementation of screening programs and delivering benefits for both native fish and water users.