Nature conservation groups have criticised the NSW Coalition
government’s $10 million plan to remove threatened fish species from the
Darling River in the state's south-west, following the disastrous fish
kill last summer.
The plan involves relocating thousands of stranded native fish from
drought-ravaged Menindee from September 9 in a two-week rescue mission,
targeting pools that will not survive the summer.
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said the rescue mission was part
of the government’s strategy to create “a modern day’s Noah’s Ark” to
protect native fish species. “This summer is going to be nothing short
of fish Armageddon,” Marshall said.
The fish will be stunned and scooped up into boats with special
climate-controlled containers. They will then be taken to a section of
the Lower Darling which fishery experts say will offer better quality
habitat and long-term water security for the fish.
