True Tales of the Trout Cod
In 2006, Will Trueman commenced work to validate accounts on the historic occurrence of Trout cod in a number of waterways by using multiple lines of evidence including oral histories, science, newspapers, diaries, and photographs.  At the project’s completion Will had interviewed nearly 140 people ranging in age from 20 to 95 years, and collected 400 photographs as far back as 1862.  The people he interviewed were saddened by the changes they had seen to the rivers and native fish. Will provides us with a window into the past that informs our present, and provides hope for the future.
Download The Book

“The way things were in the past are gone. Those times won’t be back. But people should know how it once was.”– George Murtagh, Mudgeegonga, Mitta Mitta River Catchment, October 2006

Spend some time with Will as he talks about what he has found in his travels accessing archives, collecting photographs, reviewing science and meeting locals to talk about fish and rivers.

The result is a large volume of information that provides a greater understanding of the fish and our rivers in the past.  This knowledge can be used to inform our current and futures efforts to protect and restore the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin.

‍

The aim of the project was to:
  1. Collect, collate and analyse historical information on native fish in the southern half of the Murray-Daring Basin;
  2. Identify the original distribution and habitat preferences of Trout cod and resolve the ongoing debate on this issue;
  3. Identify the original distribution and habitat preferences of other large fish species, primarily those of interest to anglers;
  4. Collect general historical information on native fish, in particular aspects of their biology;
  5. Document changes or events that may have contributed to the decline of native fish;
  6. Present the information collected in a format to assist scientists and managers engaged I the recovery of native fish but also accessible to the general public to increase community awareness of the plight of Trout cod and other native fish species.
Download The Book
Watch the histories of some of our precious waterways
Lachlan River Catchment History
Murrumbidgee Catchment History
Goulburn River Catchment History
Upper Murray River Catchment History
Mitta Mitta River Catchment History
Ovens River Catchment History

The results of this project have been made available with the support from the Native Fish Strategy of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and through the services of the *Australian River Restoration Centre.*

*The Australian River Restoration Centre team working on this project were Siwan Lovett, Nerida Hart, Richard Snashall, Vikki Bell, Allison Mortlock, Melissa Gabelle and Phil Price. Will Trueman was also a highly valued member of the team due to his ongoing commitment and work in developing this amazing history of the trout cod.Heleena Bamford from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority managed the project and contributed a great deal of time, thought and effort to ensure this work could be shared by all.

Finterest
All Stories
Why finterest?
Merch
Resources
Native Fish Recovery Strategy
Recovery Reaches
Fish Habitats
True Tales of the Trout Cod
mdb.fish
Follow Us
Facebook
Instagram
Our native fish have been respected and cared for by Aboriginal Nations for thousands of years. We pay our respects to Traditional Owner Elders past, present and future, and welcome their knowledge and involvement in native fish recovery.
© Finterest 2024. All rights reserved. The Finterest Website is a partnership project between the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the Australian River Restoration Centre.
Website developed by the Australian River Restoration Centre.