OzCast

In this episode of OzCast, marine scientist Dr David Harasti explains why the Greynurse Shark is one of Australia's most vulnerable ocean species, and how simple changes in the way we fish can have a serious impact on their survival. He also explains the role these sharks play in the ocean's ecosystem and how fishers, scientists and conservation groups can work together to protect these important...

In this episode of OzCast , Troy Gaston dives beneath the surface of the often-overshadowed marine habitat of Saltmarsh. Being the unassuming heros of our coast , Troy explains that saltmarshes are in fact ecological powerhouses playing a pivotal role in coastal ecosystems. After spending over 25 years looking into their role, Troy uncovers his most pivotal research and findings in respect of salt...

Join us on this episode of OzCast as we look beneath the surface at the often-overlooked realm of small-bodied threatened fish species in Australian waterways with Dr. Nick Whiterod, a seasoned marine ecologist with over twenty years of dedicated research and conservation efforts.  Dr. Nick Whiterod holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University, assessing the bioenergetic implications of large impound...

In this episode of OzCast , fisheries scientist Craig Boys dives beneath the surface of the Hexham Swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland with ecological and cultural significance. Craig highlights the intricate relationship between aquatic ecosystems and human interventions, particularly focusing on the impact of floodgates installed for flood mitigation.   Throughout the episode, we explore the conseque...

What's behind the horrifying phenomenon of fish kills in Australian inland waterways? Join us as we unearth the many fish kills that have taken place recently with Prof. Lee Baumgartner – the leading scientists who is involved in the government enquiry investigating the events.   Throughout the episode, Lee sheds light on the environmental culprits behind these disasters, stressing the importance...

On this episode of OzCast , Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper re-joins the show to look below the surface at one of the most topical questions circulating our inland fishing communities – should Australia release the Carp herpes virus (cyprinid herpesvirus 3)?    Martin, who has spent decades looking into the health of our freshwater rivers in Australia, sets the record straight on how the carp virus would...

In this episode of OzCast , Jason Tanner dives beneath the surface of S outh Australian waters to unveil how he is working to " green the blue " by dropping sandbags in strategic areas to bring back the lost seagrass meadows of yesteryear. After spending over 25 years developing this technique from the ground up, he explains how his work went from an idea to a now industrial-le vel program that se...

PART 2: In this episode of OzCast , Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine eco systems , Professor Kendrick di ves benea...

In this episode of OzCast , Professor Kendrick unveils the crucial role that seagrass plays in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, shedding light on its remarkable ability to support marine life and store blue carbon, even more effectively than tropical rainforests. With over 40 years of professional experience in the restoration of these marine eco systems , Professor Kendrick di ves beneath the s...

In this episode of OzCast , we look below the surface of the flow of water in the Murray-Darling Basin as a critical factor that affects the health of the entire ecosystem and why it is fundamental for native fish. Iain Ellis, with 23 years in the management of fish production in the Murray Darling Basin, makes clear that flowing waters from the upper reaches to the lower stretches and mouths of r...

On this episode of OzCast , Dr Dominic Mcafee looks beneath the surface at Australia's lost shellfish reefs and our road to recover them back from the brink of extinction.    Dr McAfee is a marine ecologist at the University of Adelaide who has dedicated his career to the restoration of Australia's oyster reefs. After stumbling across the topic while at university, he has become one of the leading...

I n e pisode f ive of OzCast , we look below the surface with fisheries scientist Dr Craig Boys to address what he considers one of biggest threats to native fish across Australia - unscreened irrigation pumps . In this in-depth cha t, Craig explains why 97 million fish are killed every year in NSW alone due to unscreened irrigation pumps. With the understanding that there are additional loses in...

Prominent historian Anna Clark guides us through Australia's fishing history, delving into its pre-European settlement origins and highlighting the pivotal events and encounters that have shaped the present-day sport. With meticulous research dating back to the 1700s, Anna provides a vivid depiction of the past fishing landscape. She dispels the misconception that James Cook was the first foreign...

Native fish in Australia have been fighting tooth and fin for survival and its time we paid attention. O n this episode of OzCast Out of Sight Out o f Mind , Australia's authority on endangered freshwater fish and invasive species Mark Lintermans takes us through the ins and outs of the history and problems facing some of our little-known freshwater fish that are struggling to survive. In particul...

In this episode, we chat with Dr Martin Mallen-Cooper about the problems facing the Murray Darling Basin, in particular, the effect of weir pools on flow in the river and the knock-on effect this has on our native fish.  Martin takes us through a step-by-step summary of the demise of the Murray Darling Basin. He identifies five major practices that have incrementally killed fish and aquatic life i...

This OzCast episode takes a look below the surface of our litter problem in Australia and chats to internationally recognised veterinary scientist Dr Matt Landos. Contaminants, like plastic and other chemicals derived from human activities, enter waterways and impact ecosystems. The episode uncovers more to our litter problem than what meets the eye, as the conversation examines the lifecycle of t...