Issue: Habitat scale influences - Fish passage
This is an issue under the Inland waters theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
The proliferation of dams and weirs has significantly reduced migratory opportunities for Australian native fish species. The physical barriers to fish migration from dams, weirs and irrigation water regulators can be overcome in some cases with the construction of fishways or 'fish ladders'. Construction of a fishway may be a suitable alternative to removal of a weir in some cases but designs need to be suitable for Australian fish.
Most dams and weirs in Australia do not have fishways and many existing fishways are ineffective. Fishway designs need to be adapted to the swimming abilities and characteristics of Australian fish.
Indicators
- IW-11 Number of licences dams, weirs, regulators and levees
Dams and weirs reduce the connectivity of rivers and streams, which interfere with the dispersal and movement of fish species. Number of weirs and dam is a crude but direct measure of this interference. - IW-28 Number of effective fishways
Number of effective fishways would be indicative of improvements in the management of inland waters.
Related issues
- Inland Waters - Response of biota- Fish
- Inland Waters - Catchment scale influences- Hydrological condition- Connectivity - dams, weirs, regulators and levees
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
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