IMPRESSIONS FROM THE 2001 NATIONAL
CONVENTION IN ADELAIDE.
By Dr Bruce Hanson (Day Two)
Sunday morning started well with Andrew Bock opening the program with a great idea that I would like to see used at future conventions, he proceeded to re-run the opening slide show that introduced us to South Australia, but this time also telling us about the images, in other words putting names to his "South Australian Pictorial". I loved it!
Next came Rodney Wubben who was originally booked as a duo with Barry Crockford, and he competently advised us on the origins, formation, aims and progress of the "Specialist Rainbowfish Species Group" over the past 2 years. Rod was able to show how they scratched around virtually all of Australia to get initial broodstock of many species, and have been able to mostly establish species tanks of most, in more than one location. It has been a good effort overall, and it is to be hoped that it will result in more species being available to enthusiasts in the future. A lively question time followed.
This was followed by Dr Stephen McLeod from ESL’s (Earth Sanctuaries Ltd) famous Warrawong Sanctuary. His address included information on their unique Platypus habitat, and their continuing efforts to save threatened wildlife using eco-tourism to fund conservation. He mentioned almost in passing that they are also maintaining a conservation population of Pigmy Perch, and made us more aware of the difficulties of displaying aquatic creatures in their habitat. His talk concluded with an interesting discussion on the various ways of valuing wildlife based on rarity, listing, and other features such as "visitor appeal".
After morning tea the intensity stepped up a notch. The first presentation was a comprehensive overview by Darren Niejakle of the Mound Springs systems associated with the Great Artesian Basin, and their various assemblages of plants and animals. I am indebted to Darren for a vastly increased understanding of why we have to conserve every drop we can of this precious water. It takes a couple of million years to travel from its entry point in Northern Queensland to exit in South Australia. It also seems so outstandingly simple when he says that water pressure is due to elevation. The large number of endemic species of plants and animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) makes the conservation of these Spring Wetlands a high priority. Sadly, already, over 50% of springs in Queensland and NSW are extinct. Hopefully the capping program to close open bores and stock control programmes will help in the longer term. His talk was well presented and well illustrated.
Bryan Pierce, one of Australia’s most respected Fisheries Scientists, was next to the podium, and his listed task was to tell us about the Flinders Range Purple Spotted Gudgeon in one hour (including the three quarters of an hour presentation he was unable to deliver yesterday). Fortunately he didn’t. What we got was a refreshing hard-hitting personal perspective on most of the problems facing freshwater fishes especially both nationally and globally. We saw a little of the "soul", the love of fish, and fishing, that is still there in full measure. Handed down through the generations interspersed with some of the practicalities and the science involved in his attempts to understand why Mogurnda adspersa became extinct in a significant part of its habitat, and also in his efforts to re-establish the species. The major message that still needs to get through is that habitat not harvest needs addressing. He also gave ANGFA some future directions to consider.
The lunch break for me included a dash up to the trade room to get the latest issues of "Aqua-geographia" and "Aqua" as well the beautiful new Rainbowfish poster from Heiko’s sales table. However it didn’t quite prepare me for the next presentation. Professor Michael Tyler is without doubt Australia’s foremost "frogologist" and he was listed to talk on " Amphibian Interaction with Fish", a subject he immediately dismissed since fish eat frogs and therefor are not worth talking about anyway.
He then went on to amaze and entertain us with his enthusiastic and comprehensive involvement with "frogs as the hub of his universe" . They are being used as environmental indicators. They are supplying experimental compounds from their secretions that show promise as glues in orthopaedic surgery, as therapeutic compounds in medicine and even as mosquito repellents. It was an address not to be missed.
Next came Steve Clark’s second presentation on "Organic Aquaculture". He showed us details of the integrated biosystem project featuring organic aquaculture that he was involved with in the UK with innovative components such as vertical flow reed beds and watercress plant filters for pond filters in the native fish breeding facility. The importance of using the low tech, and corresponding low cost (in money and resources ) alternatives was illustrated, as well as the implications for developing nations with huge populations. Many of the principles are applicable to our smaller scale backyard fish breeding efforts.
The final presentation of the convention was of course Heiko’s - the third course, the "dessert". But of course this was no "trifle" we travelled with him to central Asia, to fish markets, to fish enthusiasts, to see how people there keep their fish, and the equipment they use. It was fascinating. There was one incredible aquatic plant grower who grew his swordplants in plastic vodka cups, and used the cash from their sale to finance his major hobby painting fantastic artworks, including surreal discus. There were plants growing everywhere as Heiko said,"Even Lance Smith would have been impressed!" After that he took us to the huge aquarium display that is held every 10 years in Belgium, what a massive undertaking! The local brewery loaned the aquarium clubs approximately a quarter of a million cases of beer, to use as stands to support the huge plywood tanks with glass fronts. The tanks varied in length, and each was decorated either as biotopes, or in styles to suit the taste of the exhibitor. The biotope tanks, set up by Heiko to represent the various habitats he has collected from were magnificent. Finally he spoke to us from the heart about his sadness at the loss of aquatic habitat around the world, the need for conservation, and the future of the aquarium hobby. Thank you once again Heiko!
All too soon it was all over again for another year. There was still the post-convention tours to SARDI, and Warrawong, to come for those fortunate enough to be able to stay on for a day or two, and all the delights of South Australia if able to stay even longer, perhaps next time? For many, this was the best one yet! Make sure you get to Port Macquarie in October 2002, it will be a beauty, possibly the best one ever !!
Saturday
