The unprecedented floodwaters have led to the highest water flows in years across the Murray-Darling basin, yet native fish are dying — and the situation is expected to worsen.
It's a huge blow for river communities because fish stocks depleted by drought were bouncing back. More than 1 million fish were estimated to have died across the Murray-Darling Basin during the big dry."We've had low rivers and low water allocations and then we finally get river systems running and then we get a fish kill like this. It's just a big kick in the guts," Mr Andrews said.E.
The local water utility, Lower Murray Water, said making the river water safe for drinking was taking longer than normal and it hasJarod Lyon from Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and PlanningDr Jarod Lyon says oxygen levels in the water would likely drop further as a result of the warmer weather.
"I think, as a fish ecologist and someone who's worked in the river restoration game for a long time, I know myself and my colleagues are really, really worried about this situation, really upset."With time running out, not-for-profit conservation group OzFish is working alongside state government agencies to save as many native fish and crustaceans as possible. Mr Lampard is leading the rescue mission."Our volunteers have been able to save 46 native fish.
"We aim to continue these rescue missions for as long as it takes to save as many fish as we possibly can.The severity of the blackwater event has ignited debate about river management under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, with some farmers claiming water set aside for the environment has worsened the situation.The outbreak of toxic river water is expected to worsen."There will be a review into this. After the event, people will get out and do some research.
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