Received from MAS. Good news but also a concerning issue

I am pleased to report that the bank stabilisation works at Providence Portal have now been completed.  A small amount of water has flowed down the system ( too small for fish to move up) and this small flow has remained clean.  The Monaro Acclimatisation Society has been in negotiation with Snowy Hydro over the commissioning date for the project and we have asked Snowy Hydro to delay any significant flow until after the close of the trout season (June long weekend), to avoid unnecessary impact on angling.

However, I have received a number of complaints about many anglers driving across the river and this is causing the water downstream of random river crossings becoming turbid, disturbing spawning trout and potentially destroying already laid eggs.  Anglers should note that Snowy Hydro has delayed commissioning of the works and have made a commitment that on commissioning the flow will be regulated to avoid turbidity in the water – but on the other hand anglers see fit to drive across the river, potentially damaging spawning redds, laid eggs and causing unnecessary turbidity in the river.

The MAS will be speaking with Snowy Hydro and NSW Fisheries in the near future to decide how to approach and deal with this issue, but the MAS is committed to ensuring that our trout are protected as are their eggs.  Anglers can assist by not driving across the river, the walk downstream will do you good.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc