Field research develops native fish passage technology
Researchers advance novel technology to aid native fish migration across river obstacles in Central Coast, NSW.
Published on the 31 July 2024 by Centre for Ecosystem Science
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Researchers from the Centre for Ecosystem Science and Water Research Laboratory are conducting critical field research to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions for fish passage across river obstacles. Supported by the Central Coast Council, the team is working on a new fishway technology employing pipe bypasses that promises to enhance native fish migration.
Dr Jasmin Martino, a Research Fellow from the Centre of Ecosystem Science (School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences), and PhD Student Hiruni Kammanankada from the Water Research Laboratory (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering) are key members of the team behind the innovative ‘Tube Fishway’ project. This novel technology operates through a self-powered water propulsion system. It is designed to be cost-effective, easy to manufacture and install, and can be retrofitted to existing structures. With minimal moving parts, the Tube Fishway can be deployed and removed quickly, making it ideal for temporary installation during peak migration periods.
A set of field experiments were conducted at Mangrove Creek and Ourimbah Creek earlier this year.
UNSW researchers Dr Jasmin Martino and Hiruni Kammanankada at Mangrove Creek weir
“We conducted systematic design experiments to optimise attracting fish to piped systems. This is important fundamental research before the full deployment of the Tube Fishway that we aim to perform later this year.” Said Ms Kammanankada.
The initial trials were a success, attracting over a thousand fish to the experimental attraction unit. The data collected will help the team understand the optimal conditions for attracting local native fish, such as Australian Bass, Flathead, Sea Mullet, and Freshwater Herring, into piped systems. Prof Iain Suthers and Jan Kreibich from the Centre for Ecosystem Science, and A/Prof Stefan Felder, Mat Gropp and Matthias Buergler from the Water Research Laboratory also volunteered for a short time.
The researchers plan to return to Mangrove Creek and Ourimbah Creek in Spring 2024 to test a full-scale model of the Tube Fishway, aiming to further support the migration of native fish species in these waterways.
Native Australian fish travelling through the experimental attraction unit
This research has been featured by NBN News and in a media release by Central Coast Council: