That Lake Innes is still productive in fish shows the resilience of nature. Indeed, with the dug channel filled in to just the level of the surrounding land the Lake would be even more resilient.
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This is because the Lake level would be about a metre higher as a starting point before evaporation. A metre higher would mean all the surrounding swamps, in area at least as big as the Lake proper would still be part of the fish and prawn nursery. More food and shelter - more fish and prawns.
The only long term action then needed to maintain the fishery is to make sure when the entrance is closed off and it has rained again that the water levels rise higher than the filled dug channel and surrounding wetlands before any opening of the entrance. Juvenile fish and prawns already in the Cathie Innes system would naturally find their way up into the Lake and its swamps, growing and prospering in the habitat the Lake and swamps provides.
As to the Hastings, well isn't time we repaired some of its swamps? Bring back the mullet, mulloway, prawns and commercial fishing. Every coastal region needs jobs and all of us like to eat seafood.
Loss of habitat and acid sulphate deoxygenated water from the drainage mistakes of history have meant fewer fish - it's not commercial fishing that was ever the problem. It's time recreational fishers worked closely with their commercial colleagues to bring back our fisheries. A benefit for us all.
Adj Prof Colin Creighton AM