The following thoughtful message was received from Steve Samuels (Pres) in the context of the recent news about “Snowy Hydro 2.0”.  CAA Blogmaster response to Steve is below Steve’s words.

Dear Supporters

As you are aware the Federal Government is examining the prospect of implementing a “pumped hydro” project for the Snowy Scheme.  As you will be aware the pumped concept is to pump water back to a holding reservoir once used so it can be used again.  We should all welcome “green” solutions to our power issues, but there may well be some unintended consequences we need to be aware of.

While there is no definitive plan yet it seems that the most likely will be to pump water from Talbingo Dam to another dam such as Tantangara or Eucumbene.  Most of you will be aware that Talbingo Dam has redfin perch in it.  Redfin perch have been responsible for the decline of many trout lakes across NSW and are carriers of Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (EHNV) which has a significant impact on rainbow trout and Macquarie perch.

The Monaro Acclimatisation Society is concerned that if water is pumped from Khancoban or Talbingo to any other dam there is the possibility that redfin will get a free ride into that lake.  The problem is compounded if the destination dam is either Tantangara or Eucumbene because Tantangara feeds directly into Eucumbene via the Providence Portal and from there Eucumbene can service every other dam in the system.  A redfin explosion across the whole of the Snowy Scheme is a distinct possibility if not managed appropriately.

The MAS is currently making contact with politicians and Snowy Hydro representatives to make our concern known.  I doubt that anglers alone can stop this project from going ahead as there is a lot a stake politically.  However, with a budget of between $2 and $4 billion the MAS believes that it is not unreasonable to ask that the world’s best filter technology be installed to prevent redfin or their eggs being circulated around the system.

As this issue progresses the MAS will keep you informed, but you may like to take this opportunity to discuss the matter with fellow anglers and businesses that rely on trout fishing.  The only outcome of redfin infection in our trout dams will be the demise of the trout and this will have a serious impact on our recreation and the businesses that rely on it.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc

21 March 2017

My response to Steve was:

Thanks for this. A couple of points:

• I cringe when people describe this idea as “green”. The thing is only another form of battery. It will only be green if the water is pumped using green power ie from excess solar or wind. But if from fossil fuel (or even ‘renewable’ wood fired) sources it ain’t green.
• I had been concerned about possible bio threats from taking water from ine catchment and putting it into another but the idea of fish translocation hadn’t occurred to me. Bugger
• I’d be uncertain whether requisitely fine filters could be fitted into a system that has to move that amount of water. Perhaps you should refer to “filters or other reliable mechanism”

This’ll be on CAA blog in a jiffy and our newsletter tonight.  Thanks for taking this up. I presume you’ll take this to Niall Blair and remind him that redfin fishing will not attract the same economic benefits to the region that trout fishing does.

Cheers

Bill

Some news from Steve Samuels (Pres) on the control of vehicle access to the Eucumbene River near Denison.

To all our supporters

As you will be aware, anglers have been concerned about the environmental damage being caused to the Eucumbene River and its surrounds during the annual spawning run.  Nearly all of this damage has been caused by the large number of vehicles that descend onto the river banks during wet times.  As a result of concerns for the environment by anglers the Monaro Acclimatisation Society (MAS) seized the initiative and convened a meeting of stakeholders to discuss the matter on 30 March 2016.  That meeting was attended by NSW Fisheries, Snowy Hydro, National Parks, NSW Maritime, Chamber of Commerce representatives and anglers.  The meeting was chaired by the President of the MAS.

At the conclusion of the meeting it was agreed that some action had to be taken to stop the damage.  A working group consisting of NSW Fisheries, Snowy Hydro and National Parks representatives was established to examine the options available, identify a solution and implement that solution.

I am happy to report that after a year of hard work the preferred solution of limiting vehicle access at the Denison Campground by creating a car park there is now about to be implemented.  Snowy Hydro has agreed to pay for half of the project and on Monday 20 March 2017, the NSW Fisheries Minister announced that the other half of the funding will be made available through the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust Fund.

Anglers can expect to see work begin quite quickly and it is anticipated that it will be complete before the spawning run begins, subject to some favourable weather.

The Working Group is now finalising the administrative arrangements for the new access regime and I expect that anglers will be advised soon on how this will operate and what special arrangements have been made for disabled anglers.

I will take this opportunity to remind you that this was a project driven by anglers and coordinated by the MAS which will protect the spawning run for years to come.

While many of us will often criticise Snowy Hydro it has been a pleasure to deal with them over this issue and I especially acknowledge their willingness to work with anglers and provide material support for the project.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc

21 march 2017

Steve Samuels (local angler and our Vice President on NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers) was appointed earlier this year to the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council. This body has a role to represent anglers and to make recommendations to the Minister on the management of our fisheries. He has disseminated to CAA the minutes of the first two meetings. DPI also have them on their website.
Suffice to say that these early meetings have focused on establishing practices. More meaty subjects will be addressed in the future I’m sure and Steve will no doubt accept suggestions for topics.
Steve encourages everyone to continue to read these minutes. They will contain a lot of information on how our fisheries are managed and how the council are advising Fisheries and the Minister how to protect and enhance our sport.