Mastodawn

Gelignite blasts, overfishing, habitat destruction decimated Mary River cod numbers

"These species were so abundant at one point they were used as pig feed. At some point in history we were fishing for them with sticks of gelignite,"
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-12-16/endangered-mary-river-cod-conservation-action-plan/106055554
#RiverCare #rivers #MaryRiver #biodiversity

Breeding logs, river repair and restocking keys to endangered Mary River cod's survival

Mary River cod were fished to the brink of extinction, their habitat destroyed, even blasted with gelignite, but a recovery plan is being updated.

ABC News

BellingenNSW Jun 15, 2023

"European settlement had a big effect on creeks and rivers, we’ve often used them as convenient waste dumps. Pump industrial waste, chemicals or sewage into them and watch it float away. Once we might have thought “problem solved”. Now we know differently. Treating rivers as dumps can (unsurprisingly) damage or even wipe out the life in it."
https://theconversation.com/many-urban-waterways-were-once-waste-dumps-restoration-efforts-have-made-great-strides-but-theres-more-to-do-to-bring-nature-back-206407

Bellinger River Rehabilitation Project
https://www.bellingerlandcare.org.au/current-projects/upper-bellinger-river-aquatic-and-terrestrial-habitat-connections/
#water #rivers #RiverCare #pollution #waste #restoration #platypus #BellingerRiverSnappingTurtle #biodiversity

Many urban waterways were once waste dumps. Restoration efforts have made great strides – but there's more to do to bring nature back

Urban rivers and creeks have bounced back from early colonial use as convenient waste dumps. But the restoration work isn’t done yet, as Melbourne’s Darebin Creek shows.

The Conversation

NSW.Biodiversity Dec 5, 2022

Signs warning of prison time and thousands of dollars in fines for disturbing #wildlife failed to stop dozens of 4WD enthusiasts from gathering on a #river where endangered birds are nesting. https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/130674551/ute-drivers-ignore-doc-rules-and-hoon-through-rare-bird-nesting-area-on-crate-day #Endangered birds #SUVs #Rivercare #NZ #Conservation

Ute drivers ignore DOC rules and hoon through rare bird nesting area on Crate Day

A large group of 4WD enthusiasts celebrated Crate Day at Canterbury's Ashley River - ignoring warnings to avoid endangering rare native birds nesting there.

Stuff