Crayfish returned to the Edward River

Moulamein’s Ian ‘China’ Gibson and daughter Bec returned egg-laden crayfish to a secret location in the Edward River. Image: Supplied.

By Tertia Butcher.

Ian (China) Gibson and daughter Bec were busy returning crayfish to the river at Moulamein following their exit during the floods two years ago.

“Back in the floods of 2022, our Murray Crays were walking up the bank to escape the black water event that hit our local rivers,” China reported.

“Some were relocated into better water as the Edward River was fine above the junction of the Billabong, but there are not many crays above Moulamein, unfortunately.

“The Billabong went septic and killed plenty of fish on my place as well as fish and crays downstream of the junction at Moulamein.

“This was a natural black water event, not a man-made one like in the past.

“It’s been happening for centuries and unfortunately, we had to witness this one.”

Fifteen crays were put back in the water last week at a secret location, some with eggs, with more to be returned in future.

In times of significant flooding, a phenomenon called hypoxic blackwater, may occur resulting in a rapid breakdown of organic matter that’s been covered with water, and that quickly sucks all the oxygen out of the water.

One of the first signs of hypoxic blackwater occurring is often the crayfish will crawl out of the river because there’s not enough oxygen in the water for them to breathe. This is what occurred in the Moulamein region, in the floods of late 2022.