sustainable rivers audit
TRANSCRIPT
SIX
GOVERNMENTS WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP WIT THE COMMUNI
TY
H
Sustainable Rivers Audit
Implementation Period 2 (2005–06)
Summary Report
Summary of a report to the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council prepared by the Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group and the Murray–Darling Basin Commission
November 2007
2
This summary report outlines the progress of the �
Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA) during Implementation Period 2, 2005–06. It was prepared by the Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group (ISRAG) and the Murray–Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Office.
Seventeen of the 23 designated valleys in the Murray– �
Darling Basin were sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2: eight for the fish theme and 13 for the macroinvertebrate theme, with four of these valleys sampled for both themes. These valleys were different from those sampled during Implementation Period 1, the preliminary results of which were reported in the Sustainable Rivers Audit Implementation Period 1 (2004–05) Progress Report.
Fish themeThirty-one fish species — 22 native and nine alien species — �
were captured from the 171 sites sampled across eight valleys.
Twenty-two of the 29 native fish species predicted to be �
present under ‘reference condition’ were actually observed across the eight valleys sampled. In six of these valleys less than 60% of predicted native species were observed.
The data indicate a severe reduction in the distribution �
of many native fish in these valleys when compared to reference condition. Many are now missing or considerably rarer in whole valleys than under reference condition, and the distribution of those species within valleys is patchy indicating fragmented and possibly isolated populations.
Almost one-third of all fish species caught were alien �
species and these accounted for about half of the total number of captured individuals (19,385). Two alien species — Common carp and Eastern gambusia — were present in all eight valleys and 19 of the 22 zones sampled.
The Sustainable Rivers Audit
Results from SRA Implementation Period 2 (2005–06)
This document summarises the Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group’s (ISRAG) main findings from sampling conducted during the SRA Implementation Period 2 (2005–06). Seventeen of the Basin’s 23 valleys were sampled for either fish or macroinvertebrates or both.
All results are preliminary pending further analysis for reporting in the Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1 at the end of 2007. Methods for estimating macroinvertebrate reference condition are being developed, based on environmental ‘filters’. The Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1 will also include an analysis of data collected for the SRA hydrology theme. Further SRA themes that focus on vegetation and the physical form of rivers are under development.
Alien fish made up 71% of the total biomass (weight) of �
fish caught across the eight valleys. Alien fish biomass exceeded native fish biomass in all but two of the sampled valleys (Paroo and Warrego).
The average biomass per site of alien fish species was �
4.5 kg compared to 1.8 kg for native species. In the worst case (Avoca), the average biomass per site of alien species was 12 times greater than that of native species.
Macroinvertebrate themeIn the macroinvertebrate theme, over 126,000 �
macroinvertebrates representing 181 taxonomic groups were sampled from 432 sites across 13 valleys. Three indicators of macroinvertebrate community condition were determined for each valley.
As in SRA Implementation Period 1, dry conditions �
presented a challenge during Implementation Period 2, restricting sampling for macroinvertebrates and fish in some valleys and necessitating minor changes in site location.
Hydrology themeA preliminary hydrological assessment for the Basin is �
being undertaken in 2007 and will be reported in the Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1, which is expected to be finalised by the end of 2007.
Additional themesTwo new SRA themes, namely vegetation and physical �
form, were further developed during Implementation Period 2. These components will support integrated assessment of river condition across the channel–floodplain system. The sampling methods for these two themes are being trialled in 2007.
Cove
r pho
tos:
Mic
hael
Wils
on &
AM
Pho
togr
aphy
Phot
o: A
M P
hoto
grap
hy
3
Sustainable Rivers Audit: Assessing river condition in the Murray–Darling Basin
The SRA is the largest assessment of river ecosystem condition (‘health’) ever undertaken in the Murray–Darling Basin. This program is an initiative of the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council. It is supported by the Murray–Darling Basin Commission’s partner agencies in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia, and these agencies collaborate in program management and data collection. Results are assessed and interpreted by an independent group of ecologists (ISRAG) who report to the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council.
The SRA operates over six-year cycles, the first cycle being 2004–10. It investigates river condition via themes based on specific components of the ecosystem, and is intended to paint a comprehensive picture of river condition. To date, three themes have been developed and used in SRA implementation. The fish and macroinvertebrate themes involve sampling throughout the six-year SRA cycle (see Table 1). Preliminary results of the hydrology theme, which focuses on river flow regimes, will be reported in the Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1. Additional themes, namely vegetation and the physical form of rivers, are under development and may be adopted by the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council in 2008.
A comprehensive and consistent approach to data collection
In each SRA theme, a rigorous and standardised approach to data collection provides an ongoing assessment of river condition that can be compared between valleys, as well as tracked over time. Sampling programs are designed to take into account natural diversity within the river system and prevailing ecological and climatic conditions, by stratifying sampling in each valley into four altitudinal zones where applicable: lowland (<200 m above sea level, or asl), slopes (200–400 m asl), upland (400–700 m asl) and montane (>700 m asl).
A ‘reference condition’ is used within all SRA themes as a benchmark against which to make standardised assessments of ecosystem condition. Data analysis therefore takes into account fundamental biogeographic differences within the Basin by comparing observed data with a reference condition constructed for each valley. Note, however, that reference condition is not intended to represent a target or a desired state; it provides an objective benchmark for comparisons over time and space.
To the extent practicable, sites are chosen randomly to help achieve unbiased sampling for statistical analysis and interpretation. In addition, a proportion of sites is revisited during each sampling cycle.
The Sustainable Rivers Audit
Table 1. Sustainable Rivers Audit sampling schedule (2004–10)
The initial six-year SRA sampling schedules for the fish and macroinvertebrate themes are outlined below. The main sampling seasons vary across the broad climatic regions of the Murray–Darling Basin. For example, macroinvertebrate sampling takes place in autumn in the northern valleys (shown in orange) and in spring in the southern valleys (shown in green) with the exception of the Lower Murray, which was sampled in autumn.
State performing sampling
Valley Fish MacroinvertebratesYear
1Year
2Year
3Year
4Year
5Year
6Year
1Year
2Year
3Year
4Year
5Year
6Qld ParooQld WarregoQld CondamineNSW Border RiversNSW GwydirNSW NamoiNSW CastlereaghNSW DarlingNSW MacquarieNSW LachlanNSW MurrumbidgeeNSW Central Murray (Hume to Lock 10)Vic Upper Murray (above Hume)Vic Mitta MittaVic KiewaVic OvensVic BrokenVic GoulburnVic CampaspeVic LoddonVic AvocaVic WimmeraSA Lower Murray (below Lock 10)
Sra Sampling Program And Methods
Data on fish species are collected from seven sites in each of the zones of the 23 valleys. Approximately eight valleys are sampled each year during the three-year period. This will yield two complete Basin-wide assessments of fish communities during each six-year cycle of the SRA. Fish are collected by intensive electrofishing with boat and backpack equipment, in conjunction with bait traps. Sampling sites are 1 km long and samples are collected from a range of habitat types occurring at each site.
Analysis of fish community data examines the following two broad indicators:
species richness (the number of different species), and the �
number of those species expected to be present under the reference condition; and
the relative numbers and biomass of native and alien �
species.
These two indicators will be combined into a single overall fish index for each of the valleys in the Basin.
The reference condition for fish communities has been estimated from expert knowledge, museum collections and historical data. Lists of species expected to have been present under reference conditions have been prepared for each zone and valley, along with estimates of their probability of capture.
A review and refinement of the indicators for the fish theme are ongoing during the first three years of the SRA. The Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2007, will include a more comprehensive reporting on the indicators.
Fish theme
4
The aquatic macroinvertebrates sampled for the SRA mainly include adult and larval insects, crustaceans and molluscs. Macroinvertebrates are sampled using a standard sweep-netting technique. Both pool edge and fast-flowing riffle habitats are sampled when present.
Macroinvertebrate samples are collected in each valley every two years, resulting in three Basin-wide assessments over each six-year SRA cycle. The following three indicators are derived from the macroinvertebrate sampling data:
taxon richness (the number of different invertebrate family �
groups);
a SIGNAL (Stream Invertebrate Grade Number Average �
Level) score, in which the invertebrate taxa at a site are weighted for their sensitivity to disturbance; and
an AUSRIVAS ( � Australian River Assessment System) O/E score, which is the proportion of the number of macroinvertebrate families actually observed (O) in samples at a site versus that which is expected (E) for that type of site.
SRA Sampling Program and Methods
Phot
o: A
M P
hoto
grap
hy
Based on comparisons with reference condition values, the taxon richness and SIGNAL score values are converted to indicators. The AUSRIVAS O/E score is used directly as an indicator. An overall Macroinvertebrate River Health Index is then derived from these three indicators.
The reference condition for macroinvertebrates is currently assessed through data derived from a large set of sites in best available condition. This approach is under review (during SRA Implementation Period 3) in conjunction with a project investigating the use of environmental ‘filters’. The macroinvertebrate data for the Basin as a whole will be analysed and reported more comprehensively in the Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1.
Macroinvertebrate theme
5
6
During SRA Implementation Period 2, fish were sampled in eight of the 23 valleys of the Murray–Darling Basin: Avoca, Goulburn, Kiewa, Lachlan, Macquarie, Namoi, Paroo and Warrego.
A total of 171 sites was sampled and 19,385 individual fish belonging to 31 species were captured. Of these, 9,393 fish (22 species) were native, representing 48% of individual fish captured.
Alien species made up 52% of all individuals and 29% of all species captured. Two alien species, namely Common carp and Eastern gambusia, were present in 19 of the 22 zones sampled. The nine alien species together accounted for 71% of the total fish biomass sampled.
Twenty-two of the 29 native species predicted to be present across all eight valleys under reference conditions were caught during Implementation Period 2. However, this only indicates whether each native fish species is present (even as one individual) in the sampled valleys. Analyses of the data show that fish communities in the eight valleys sampled are considerably different from their reference condition. The data indicate that many native fish are absent or considerably rarer than expected in individual valleys and the distribution of these species within valleys is patchy.
Summary Results From Sra Implementation Period 2
Of the seven native fish species predicted to be present but not captured during Implementation Period 2, three species (Olive perchlet, Southern purple-spotted gudgeon and Flathead galaxias) were expected to be relatively widespread. Species with greatly reduced distributions compared with reference condition include Silver perch and Freshwater catfish, both of which appeared in only three of the 16 zones in which they were expected.
Figure 1 illustrates the number of native fish species caught (ie observed, O) as a percentage of the number of native species predicted (P) to occur under reference conditions. Less than 60% of the native species predicted to be present were observed from six of the eight valleys sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2.
The eight valleys sampled showed substantial differences in the fish assemblages that they supported. The fish data collected in each valley are summarised in Table 2, grouped according to three categories: taxonomic composition, number of fish and fish biomass. The numbers of sites and zones sampled in each valley are also shown in Table 2.
Figure 1. Number of native fish species caught (ie observed, O) as a percentage of the number of native species predicted (P) to occur under reference conditions, in the eight valleys sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2 (2005–06)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Avoca Goulburn Kiewa Lachlan Macquarie Namoi Paroo Warrego
River valley
Perc
enta
ge O
/P
Fish theme
7
Summary Results From Sra Implementation Period 2
Table 2. Summary of fish sampling results for each valley during SRA Implementation Period 2 (2005–06)
Fish sampling data Avoca Goulburn Kiewa Lachlan Macquarie Namoi Paroo Warrego
No. of sites sampled 18 21 21 28 21 28 18 16
No. of zones sampled 2 3 3 4 3 4 1 2
Taxonomic composition (number of species)
Total species count 10 23 19 16 16 17 10 10
Native species count (O) 6 14 11 10 10 12 7 7
Alien species count 4 9 8 6 6 5 3 3
Count of species predicted under reference condition (P)
16 25 16 20 18 15 13 13
O/P native species (%) 38 56 69 50 56 80 54 54
Abundance (number of fish)
Mean number of fish per site 50 35 104 123 358 88 58 70
Mean native individuals/site 34 15 45 84 75 55 56 67
Mean alien individuals/site 16 20 59 39 283 33 2 4
% native individuals 68 43 43 68 21 63 97 96
Biomass
Biomass all individuals (g) 126,047 148,285 235,448 126,170 200,397 181,550 16,402 71,020
Biomass native individuals (g) 9,714 54,756 24,135 26,311 76,675 71,191 13,972 40,318
Biomass alien individuals (g) 116,333 93,529 211,313 99,859 123,722 110,359 2,430 30,702
Biomass/site all species (g) 7,003 7,061 11,212 4,506 9,543 6,484 911 4,439
Biomass/site native species (g) 540 2,607 1,149 940 3,651 2,543 776 2,520
Biomass/site alien species (g) 6,463 4,454 10,063 3,566 5,892 3,941 135 1,919
% biomass that is native 8 37 10 21 38 39 85 57
Mean biomass/fish (g) 139 204 108 37 27 74 16 63
Mean native biomass/fish (g) 16 179 26 11 48 46 14 38
Mean alien biomass/fish (g) 404 223 171 91 21 120 67 529
Phot
o: A
M P
hoto
grap
hy
8
Summary of fish community composition results: SRA Implementation Period 2
Figure 2. Number of fish species recorded from the eight valleys sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2
The overall numbers of native and alien species caught are shown, as well as the number of fish species not caught but predicted under reference conditions.
The number of native species caught was �
below that predicted in all sampled valleys.
Alien species were present in all valleys. �
Figure 4. Average biomass of native and alien fish species in the eight valleys sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2
Alien species made up the bulk of fish biomass �
(weight) in six of the eight valleys sampled in Implementation Period 2.
Figure 3. Average number of native and alien fish caught per site during SRA Implementation Period 2
Numbers of individual native fish exceeded alien �
fish numbers in five of the eight valleys sampled.
The mean number of fish caught per site ranged �
from 35 in the Goulburn valley to 358 in the Macquarie valley.
The proportion of fish abundance that was �
native was highest in the Paroo (97%) and Warrego (95%) valleys and lowest in the Macquarie valley (21%).
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Avoca
Goulburn
Kiewa
Lachlan
Macquarie
Namoi
Paroo
Warrego
River valley
Num
ber o
f spe
cies
Native species caught
Native species predicted - not caught
Alien species caught
Summary Results From Sra Implementation Period 2
Avoca
Goulburn
Kiewa
Lachlan
Macquarie
Namoi
Paroo
Warrego
River valley
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Mea
n nu
mbe
r of f
ish
per s
ite Native
Alien
Avoca
Goulburn
Kiewa
Lachlan
Macquarie
Namoi
Paroo
Warrego
River valley
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Mea
n bi
omas
s (kg
) per
site Native
Alien
9
Avoca18 sites, 2 zonesIndividuals caught: 905Native species: 60%Native fish abundance/site: 68%Native fish biomass/site: 8%
Warrego16 sites, 2 zonesIndividuals caught: 1,126Native species: 70%Native fish numbers/site: 95%Native fish biomass: 57%
Goulburn21 sites, 3 zonesIndividuals caught: 726Native species: 61%Native fish numbers/site: 42%Native fish biomass: 37%
Kiewa21 sites, 3 zonesIndividuals caught: 2,174Native species: 58%Native fish numbers/site: 43%Native fish biomass: 10%
Lachlan28 sites, 4 zonesIndividuals caught: 3,433Native species: 63%Native fish numbers/site: 68%Native fish biomass: 21%
Macquarie21 sites, 3 zonesIndividuals caught: 7,521Native species: 63%Native fish numbers/site: 21%Native fish biomass: 38%
Namoi28 sites, 4 zonesIndividuals caught: 2,453Native species: 71%Native fish numbers/site: 63%Native fish biomass: 39%
Paroo18 sites, 1 zoneIndividuals caught: 1,047Native species: 70%Native fish numbers/site: 97%Native fish biomass: 85%
Goulburn34 sites, 3 zones9,672 organisms sampled, 97 taxa
Mitta Mitta32 sites, 3 zones10,595 organisms sampled, 93 taxa
Ovens35 sites, 4 zones12,781 organisms sampled, 100 taxa
Loddon34 sites, 3 zones10,210 organisms sampled, 92 taxa
Murray, Lower33 sites, 4 zones24,280 organisms sampled, 88 taxa
Murray, Central35 sites, 4 zones6,802 organisms sampled, 71 taxa
Macquarie35 sites, 3 zones10,013 organisms sampled, 88 taxa
Murray, Upper34 sites, 3 zones14,165 organisms sampled, 100 taxa
Paroo35 sites, 1 zone5,176 organisms sampled, 57 taxa
Warrego35 sites, 2 zones4,107 organisms sampled, 56 taxa
Condamine35 sites, 2 zones5,786 organisms sampled, 69 taxa
Gwydir37 sites, 4 zones8,168 organisms sampled, 88 taxa
Castlereagh18 sites, 3 zones4,338 organisms sampled, 67 taxa
10
During Implementation Period 2, a total of 432 sites was surveyed from 13 of the Basin’s 23 valleys, yielding a total of 126,093 organisms representing 181 taxa. The valleys sampled for this theme were: Castlereagh, Condamine, Goulburn, Gwydir, Loddon, Macquarie, Mitta Mitta, Ovens, Paroo, Lower Murray, Central Murray, Upper Murray and Warrego.
Interim values for the three macroinvertebrate indicators (taxon richness, SIGNAL score and AUSRIVAS O/E) are displayed in Table 3. Note that 0 represents worst case condition, and 1 represents equivalence to reference condition. The variation among sites for each of the indicators is also shown in Table 3, based on the difference between the upper and lower 95% confidence limits.
As evident from Table 3, interim values for the three indicators were generally highest for the Upper Murray, Mitta Mitta, Ovens and Goulburn valleys, indicating high proportions of expected taxa, high taxon richness (that is, many invertebrate taxa relative to reference) and the presence of a similar composition of responsive (pollution-sensitive) taxa to reference. The Warrego valley had particularly low scores for taxon richness and SIGNAL, but not for AUSRIVAS O/E.
ISRAG will present more comprehensive versions of the macroinvertebrate theme indicator and index values and condition assessments based on these data in Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1.
Table 3. Macroinvertebrate theme indicators (interim values) for the 13 valleys sampled during SRA Implementation Period 2.
Taxon richness represents the number of different macroinvertebrate taxa found in samples relative to reference condition values. The SIGNAL indicator rates observed taxa according to their sensitivity to disturbance and is reported relative to reference condition values. AUSRIVAS O/E represents the proportion of the number of taxa expected (E) under reference conditions that were actually observed (O). Note that reference condition values were derived separately for each indicator.
Valley No. of sites
No. of zones
Median taxon richness (data range*)
Median SIGNAL score (data range*)
Median AUSRIVAS O/E (data range*)
Castlereagh 18 3 0.63 (L) 0.59 (L) 0.88 (L)
Condamine 35 2 0.41 (M) 0.46 (S) 0.98 (S)
Goulburn 34 3 0.69 (M) 0.81 (M) 0.91 (M)
Gwydir 37 4 0.64 (M) 0.53 (M) 0.94 (L)
Loddon 34 3 0.74 (M) 0.46 (M) 0.94 (M)
Macquarie 35 3 0.73 (M) 0.61 (M) 0.81 (M)
Mitta Mitta 32 3 0.69 (M) 0.86 (L) 0.98 (S)
Murray, Lower 33 4 0.42 (S) 0.72 (M) 0.96 (S)
Murray, Central 35 3 0.70 (S) 0.58 (M) 0.68 (M)
Murray, Upper 34 3 0.79 (S) 0.85 (M) 0.99 (S)
Ovens 35 4 0.71 (M) 0.83 (M) 0.91 (M)
Paroo 35 1 0.33 (M) 0.58 (M) 1.00 Nil
Warrego 35 2 0.29 (S) 0.39 (L) 0.92 (L)
* Data range is based on the difference between the upper and lower 95% confidence limits:
S = small (confidence limits range 0.01–0.08), with relatively similar scores among sites within the valley,
M = medium (confidence limits range 0.09–0.16), with intermediate variation in scores among sites within the valley, and
L = large (confidence limits range 0.17–0.24), with high variation in scores among sites within the valley.
Summary Results From Sra Implementation Period 2
Macroinvertebrate theme
11
Relationships between the SRA and other monitoring programs
The SRA is a monitoring program that assesses the condition of rivers in all the valleys in the Murray–Darling Basin. The first Basin-wide SRA report is due to be completed in late 2007 and will be based on data collected between 2004 and 2007, including the results from the Implementation Period 2 survey reported here. The program will continue to gather data on fish, macroinvertebrates and hydrology and will report trends in river condition.
The benchmarking and description of trends can be used to support decision making across the Basin, including the provision of water to achieve environmental outcomes. The Living Murray (TLM) program is delivering environmental works and flows to improve the condition of significant ecological assets of the Murray River. The SRA sampling supports TLM monitoring, particularly by undertaking surveillance of the overall condition of the Murray. The data gathered by the SRA is being supplemented, where necessary, by more localised or intensive sampling to address specific issues. Such an approach can result in cost savings and avoiding duplication of effort.
The MDBC’s Native Fish Strategy (NFS) is a 50-year plan to rehabilitate the Basin’s native fish populations. The SRA supports the NFS by providing baseline data that contribute to measuring progress towards NFS targets. SRA sampling has detected the presence of new populations of the threatened species Barred galaxias in the Basin. It has also described the spread of Climbing galaxias (a translocated native fish species) and confirmed the presence of Crucian carp (an alien species) in the Basin.
At a national and state level, SRA data and valley boundaries are nearly always consistent with other major monitoring frameworks such as the National Water Initiative’s Framework for Assessment of Rivers and Wetlands, Natural Heritage Trust monitoring and evaluation requirements and the Victoria’s Index of Stream Condition. SRA techniques, particularly for fish sampling, are being adapted by NSW and Victoria for coastal valleys outside the Murray–Darling Basin. The SRA as a resource can help groups involved in small-scale projects understand their relationship with the whole valley and Basin.
ISRAG believes that data collected by MDBC partner agencies during Implementation Periods 1 and 2 were of a very high standard. The data from Implementation Period 2 together with those collected in Implementation Periods 1 (2004–05) and 3 (2006–07) will be used to prepare ISRAG’s Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1 by the end of 2007. The Sustainable Rivers Audit Report 1 will also report a Basin-wide hydrology assessment.
Important issues illustrated by SRA data are outlined below.
Two alien species (Common carp and Eastern gambusia) �
were caught in every valley sampled, highlighting their ubiquity as invasive species.
SRA sampling has detected the presence of new �
populations of the threatened species Barred galaxias in the Basin. It has also described the spread of Climbing galaxias (a translocated native fish species) and confirmed the presence of Crucian carp (an alien species) in the Basin.
The results indicate a reduction in the distribution of �
many native fish in the valleys sampled when compared to reference condition. Of the 29 native species expected, only 22 were actually caught.
Results collected during Implementation Periods 1 and 2 will be further analysed and used in the development of better methods for determining reference condition.
Work on the development of two new SRA themes — vegetation and physical form — will continue, and a decision on the implementation of these themes is expected to be made in the first half of 2008.
Results of the SRA will be used to inform policy development aimed at improving the management of the natural resources of the Murray‑Darling Basin. As the largest ongoing assessment of river ecosystem condition in the Murray–Darling Basin, the SRA is an important component of integrated Basin reporting.
Further information and data are available from MDBC (contact details on the back page).
Conclusions
Conclusions
S I X G O V E R N M E N T S W O R K I N G I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T T H E C O M M U N
I T Y
H
Published by Murray–Darling Basin Commission
Postal Address GPO Box 409, Canberra ACT 2601
Office location Levels 3 and 4, 51 Allara Street, Canberra City ACT 2601
Telephone (02) 6279 0100, international +61 2 6279 0100
Facsimile (02) 6248 8053, international +61 2 6248 8053
E-mail [email protected]
Internet http://www.mdbc.gov.au
For further information on SRA contact the Murray–Darling Commission office on (02) 6279 0100
Information on the Native Fish Strategy for the Murray–Darling Basin can be found at http://www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS
This report may be cited as: Sustainable Rivers Audit Implementation Period 2 (2005–2006) Summary Report
MDBC Publication No. 28/07
ISBN 1 921257 38 5
© Copyright Murray–Darling Basin Commission 2007
This work is copyright. Graphical and textual information in the work (with the exception of photographs and the MDBC logo) may be stored, retrieved and reproduced in whole or in part, provided the information is not sold or used for commercial benefit and its source (Sustainable Rivers Audit Implementation Period 2 (2005–06) Summary Report) is acknowledged. Such reproduction includes fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review under the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction for other purposes is prohibited without prior permission of the Murray–Darling Basin Commission or the individual photographers and artists with whom copyright applies.
To the extent permitted by law, the copyright holders (including its employees and consultants) exclude all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this report (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it.
The contents of this publication do not purport to represent the position of the Murray–Darling Basin Commission. They are presented to inform discussion for improvement of the Murray–Darling Basin’s natural resources.
www.mdbc.gov.au/sra
Des
ign
by C
laru
s Des
ign