Rare fish 'pummelled to death' during dam water release

Brisbane Times 25 Jun 09;

Up to 50 rare lungfish were killed when tonnes of water was released from a southeast Queensland dam this week.

Water was released from North Pine Dam from Monday morning to Tuesday night as a safety measure, as heavy rain threatened to overfill the dam.

Its managers, SEQWater, say up to 100 native fish went with the release, including around 12 lungfish, a species listed as vulnerable.

But Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council spokesman Roger Currie said conservationists on the scene had found up to 50 lungfish, either killed or maimed by the force of the water.

"Some were found caught in trees yesterday and last night," Mr Currie said.

"They've just been pummelled by the sheer force of it."

Mr Currie said some of the rare fish were up to one metre long, suggesting they could be 100 years old.

The conservation council has lobbied against the Paradise Dam and the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam, claiming that both pose serious threats to the lungfish and other species.

Mr Currie said his group would document the event and advise federal Environment Peter Garrett, who was now considering the Traveston Dam, proposed for an area near Gympie.

SEQWater spokesman Mike Foster said staff were on the scene at every dam release to check for "fish kills".

Mr Foster said a handful of lungfish had been rescued from pools, but staff would return on Thursday to see if more could be done.

"We are very, very mindful of the ecological importance of the lungfish," he said.

Last month, when North Pine's gates were opened for the first time in many years, up to 150 lungfish were rescued and returned to the dam.

The Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council has called for a study into lungfish numbers in North Pine Dam, and measures to protect them when water is released.

AAP