A RARE coalition of conservationists and fishermen is demanding the federal government pay to restore native fish numbers in the Murray-Darling Basin after a 50-year joint plan with the states was axed.
The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Murray-Darling Basin Recreational Fishing Council will today condemn the sudden culling of the Native Fish Strategy and call on Canberra to fund a replacement.
The groups will say fish species native to the basin, such as the iconic Murray Cod, have suffered serious declines over the last century while many invasive species have thrived.
''Native fish populations are at roughly 10 per cent of pre-European settlement levels,'' they said in a statement.
The groups propose a new plan with two five-year stages to restore habitat, boost research and continue community programs. The first five years would cost $100 million.
The strategy included building a series of fish ladders between the Murray mouth and Lake Hume to provide fish with safe passage through 2225 kilometres of river.
Another 3900 kilometres of fish passage was planned over the next 10 years. Goals included stopping any new incursions of pest fish species.
The chair of the fishing council, Christopher Collins, said the group was deeply concerned about the effect the strategy's cut would have on native fish numbers.
The push comes as the federal government enters the final stages of negotiations with state governments over a long-awaited deal to return water to the river's environment.
