Talking Fish : oral histories of fishing on the Murray Darling Basin river system, 2010-2011

CATALOGUING IN PROCESS
MLOH 647

fonds

2010-2011

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories, Graphic Materials, Textual Records, Photographs

949878

Sound Recording : CY MLOH 647

Approximately 300 sound files - digital, WAV files

The Talking Fish project was initiated by the Murray Darling Basin Authority as part of its The Native Fish Strategy. The aim was to record the experiences of recreational fishers so that local, historical and cultural knowledge can be used in managing fish species in the Murray Darling Basin. Project partners include the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Conservation Action Unit), the University of Technology Sydney (Professor Heather Goodall and Dr Jodi Frawley), Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, Queensland Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation, Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and a number of contractors.

The Native Fish Strategy, launched in 2003, is a partnership program between the Queensland, News South Wales, Victorian, South Australian and the Australian Capital Territory governments and their communities, under the leadership of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
The strategy aims to bring native fish communities in the basin back to 60 per cent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels within 50 years.

The rivers and creeks of the Murray‐Darling Basin flow through Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. The 77,000 kilometres of waterways that make up the Basin link 23 catchments over an area of 1 million square kilometres.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

The Talking Fish project included over 130 oral history recordings with recreational fishers, Aboriginal communities, commercial fishers and scientists from across the Murray Darling Basin. Interviewees discuss changes they have witnessed in the river system, with native fish populations, and what they believe to be the cause of those changes. The project focused on 12 reaches within the Basin.

Principal interviewer was Dr Jodi Frawley (UTS), with Queensland interviews conducted by Hamish Sewell.

A cross section of age, class and gender were included. In particular, the researchers endeavoured to collect from the Aboriginal communities in each of the places visited.

SERIES 01
Namoi River (NSW): Gamilaraay

SERIES 02
Darling and the Great Anabranch (NSW): Paakantji

SERIES 03
Darling River – Bourke to Brewarrina (NSW): Muriwari, Ngiyampaa; Yulwularay

SERIES 04
Upper Murrumbidgee River (NSW / ACT) – Ngunnawal; Ngarigo

SERIES 05
Mainstem Murray River (NSW / Victoria): Yorta Yorta; Bangerang; Taungurung

SERIES 06
Goulburn River (Vic): Yorta Yorta; Bangerang; Taungurung

SERIES 07
Ovens River (Vic): Yorta Yorta; Bangerang; Taungurung

SERIES 08
Katarapko Creek (SA) – Gerard Community

SERIES 09
The Coorong and Lower Lakes (SA): Ngarrindjeri

SERIES 10
Murray Darling Basin extra

SERIES 11
Upper Condamine River (Qld),

SERIES 12
Culgoa ‐Balonne Rivers (Qld / NSW)

SERIES 13
Paroo River (Qld)

Copyright restrictions may apply

The project developed communication products in the form of radio features and community booklets. ABC Radio National Hindsight Talking Fish. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/hindsight/stories/2011/3289153.htm (accessed 16 November 2011).vMurray Darling Basin Authority Native Fish Awareness Week Talking Fish. www.nativefishweek.com.au (accessed 16 November 2011)