<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/21/murray-darling-basin-fishing-degradation>
"One of Australia’s most respected native fish experts says scientists working
within the New South Wales government are discouraged from speaking to the
media, resulting in “a loss of honesty and accuracy” in reporting by
departments.
Dr Stuart Rowland, a retired principal research scientist who worked for NSW
Fisheries for 36 years and remains a mentor to scientists in the agency, says
there is a conflict within the Department of Primary Industries between
fisheries and agricultural interests which makes it difficult for the former to
speak openly about the health of the Murray-Darling River system and causes of
ecological disasters including the 2023 Menindee fish kills.
Even though there are “very good scientists and managers in Fisheries, their
voice is often not heard”, Rowland says.
“Even if there are internal scientists and managers who are aghast at what’s
happened with the river, they can’t really express it to the media,” he says.
“It is up to retired scientists like me, who don’t have an affiliation directly
with the government, to speak their minds.”
Guardian Australia has spoken to a number of current and former NSW Fisheries
staff who say they are frustrated at the degradation of major river systems,
the conflict within the department and limits on speaking to the media, but
none were willing to speak publicly."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
