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37% of Australia's freshwater species are facing extinction in the next century. In the words of today's guest, Dr. Nick Whiterod, "it is now a conscious decision not to act."

Native fish populations in Australia are estimated to be less than 10% of their size pre-colonisation. This country has experienced one of the worst records of recent extinctions worldwide, and many more of our species are predicted to be lost in the near future – not unless we act now. Freshwater species have a disproportionately higher risk of extinction compared to terrestrial and marine counterparts, but are often overlooked, with few aware of how much trouble they’re really in. Dr. Nick Whiterod is a leading expert in the field of freshwater species conservation and recovery, and there’s no one better to speak with about this great challenge than him.

Nick is the driving force behind the Science Program at the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre based in Goolwa, South Australia. He is an ecologist with over two decades of experience, conserving and researching freshwater species and ecosystems across South Australia and Australia-side. He has conducted several successful reintroduction projects, contributed to the national listing of more than 50 freshwater fish and crayfish, and actively worked to understand and conserve freshwater fish across Australia, including in the Mt Lofty Ranges and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region. Nick was a 2018 Churchill Fellow and recently received the 2023 Unsung Hero of South Australian Science.

In today's show, we unravel the ecological treasures of this breathtaking Ramsar site at the Murray-Darling Basin's end. Nick opens up about the region's unique freshwater ecosystems and the pressing challenges they face, from reduced water flows due to upstream extraction to the historical necessity of barrages that protect the freshwater supply. We discuss the significance of environmental water flows and the complexities of managing water resources across jurisdictional boundaries; dive deep into the urgent need for conservation and the threats faced by Australia's native freshwater species; highlight the importance of First Nations collaboration in conservation efforts, and more.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au

Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨

If you'd like to support the Australian River Restoration Centre and our work restoring rivers and supporting others to do the same, visit our shop for some of the best gift ideas for nature-lovers. You can also make a tax-deductible direct donation to help support our the health and resilience of our rivers 🌱

We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!

What if your pet fish could wreak havoc on Australia's ecosystems? Turns out, that's precisely what they'll do if they end up in our waterways.

In today's episode, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with freshwater fish biologist Dr Mariah Millington, who reveals the surprising capacity for non-native pet fish to damage and degrade Australia's freshwater ecosystems, and particularly the native fish that live within them. Discover how to best dispose of dead pet fish, how common goldfish and other popular pet species can grow to alarming sizes and cause severe ecological damage when released, Mariah's undercover research into forums and marketplaces on the Deep web, and some of the specific species which pose significant ecological risks to Australian native fish, whose populations are already estimated to be less than 10% of their pre-colonisation numbers.

Mariah pulls back the curtain on the underground world of illegal fish trade and the challenges in regulating this thriving online market. You'll be intrigued by the prevalence of pet fish in Australian households and the secretive subculture of basement breeders who bypass legal regulations through platforms like Facebook and Gumtree. From the complexities of transporting fish over long distances to the hidden layers of the web where these transactions occur, our conversation uncovers the dark side of the pet fish industry and the ecological risks it poses.

The threats don't stop there—Tilapia and other invasive fish species are making alarming inroads into Australia's waterways. Tilapia in particular continue to head further south. Learn about the reproductive strategies that make tilapia particularly dangerous and the potential for hybridization to increase their invasive potential. Mariah discusses the importance of public education, biosecurity measures, and promoting native fish conservation initiatives.

This episode is a compelling call to action for protecting our native fish populations and the ecosystems they depend on.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au

Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨

If you'd like to support the Australian River Restoration Centre and our work restoring rivers and supporting others to do the same, visit our shop for some of the best gift ideas for nature-lovers. You can also make a tax-deductible direct donation to help support our the health and resilience of our rivers 🌱

We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!

Ever wondered what a platypus eats, how to remember native plant names, or what it takes to bring a river back to life? Today, ARRC Director Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with Jed Pearson from the Rivers of Carbon team to answer some of these questions.

Jed has journeyed from Armidale to the ACT and his dedication to conservation through Waterwatch and Rivers of Carbon has only grown as he has learned on and cared for Country. We dive deep into the importance of riparian zones and the various vegetation layers that contribute to a thriving ecosystem, tackling erosion strategies and a case study on the Gudgenby River in the ACT. Jed explains the challenges of planting vegetation for erosion control and the importance of understanding local flora. We also explore plant identification techniques that, despite sometimes frustrating botanical names, help ensure high survival rates for the vegetation planted. This chapter serves as a valuable guide for those looking to mitigate erosion with site-specific approaches and expert consultation.

Lastly, we journey into the fascinating world of macroinvertebrates and their critical role in waterway health. Through the Rivers of Carbon project and Waterwatch program, we underscore the importance of accessible information and citizen science in monitoring water quality. Jed shares how these tiny creatures act as keystone species and indicators, vital to the diets of platypuses and overall ecosystem health. Jed also shares some very amusing ways to remember tricky species names!

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au

Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨

If you'd like to support the Australian River Restoration Centre and our work restoring rivers and supporting others to do the same, visit our shop for some of the best gift ideas for nature-lovers. You can also make a tax-deductible direct donation to help support our the health and resilience of our rivers 🌱

We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️