: News Article

Tortoises and Native Fish Relocated from Landlocked Pools

25/8/1999

About 300 tortoises, 400 sleepy cod and thousands of smaller native fish were recently given a new lease of life after being relocated from two landlocked pools just below Ross River Dam.

NQ Water Chairman, Ian Hamilton, said the fish and tortoises were in danger of dying in the pools, which weren't being aerated because water had stopped running over the dam spillway.

"The dissipation pools, as they are called, help reduce the speed of water after it goes over the spillway on its way downstream. When water ceases to flow over the spillway, maintenance is carried out on the pools every six weeks.

"During the last maintenance period in July, tortoises found trapped in the pools were caught and released in the dam and native fish were relocated close to the dam in Ross River in a recognised nursery area for certain species. The only casualties were a few eels and bony bream.

"Some tortoises with cracked shells, caused by falling against the concrete spillway, were taken to James Cook University where their shells were repaired with fibreglass, before they too were released into the dam."

Mr Hamilton said more than 1200 of the introduced problem fish tilapia, caught in the exercise, were either disposed of or given to JCU for research purposes.

"NQ Water is anxious to promote the growth of native fish stock and is on constant alert for any problems that could lead to fish kills. A check of the dissipation pools a few days ago did not reveal any more trapped tortoises or fish."

The exercise has been commended by the chairman of Sunfish, Vern Veitch, who said recreational fishing will derive long term benefits from the work being done by NQ Water at the base of Ross River Dam.

More information:
Ian Hamilton
Telephone: 4772 1166
Mobile: 0418 777 284

Media contact:
Harry Landman
Telephone: 4779 6619
Mobile: 0418 743 37

© 2004 NQ Water