The Perfect Storm - What is causing Australia's fish kills?

What's behind the horrifying phenomenon of fish kills in Australian inland waterways? Join us as we unearth the many fish kills that have taken place recently with Prof. Lee Baumgartner – the leading scientists who is involved in the government enquiry investigating the events. Throughout the episode, Lee sheds light on the environmental culprits behind these disasters, stressing the importance of responsible river management going forward. From dissecting blackwater events, hydrology, bacteria and algae, river infrastructure and flow, the ‘perfect storm’ that leads to a fish kill is discussed so you can better understand what is happening to our native fish throughout the Murray-Darling Basin.  

Prof. Lee Baumgartner 

Prof. Lee Baumgardner stands as a revered figure in the realm of applied research, best known for his groundbreaking contributions to the intricate interplay of food, water, and energy. His work is particularly pivotal in regions where water serves as a lifeline for sustenance and economic activities, playing a crucial role in irrigation and hydropower. Lee directs his focus to communities reliant on fish, a cornerstone of biodiversity, nutrition, and income. However, these aquatic populations face a dangerous decline due to extensive river development, prompting Lee's active involvement in government inquiries into fish kills. 

Lee Baumgardner is no stranger to the corridors of power, having contributed to parliamentary inquiries and been appointed to prime ministerial advisory panels. His outreach extends to international and national media, where he tirelessly promotes the cause of healthy rivers. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the NSW Crawford Medal, Lee holds a Ph.D. in applied ecology from the University of Canberra (2005). Having only recently completed his commitments on the government panel enquiring into the fish kills, Lee offers insight into how environmental enquiries work. The transparency, which is important for the rec fishing community gaining trust in our respective state fisheries managements, leads the discussion to looking below the surface at what actually happened in the 2018 and 2023 fish kills.

Collaborating with a diverse spectrum of professionals—engineers, functional ecologists, social scientists, policy experts, and water professionals—Lee addresses the multifaceted challenges confronting these communities. Passionate about nurturing healthy rivers, his mantra, "A healthy river is an economic and environmental engine," encapsulates the essence of his recent research and advocacy. 

Beyond the realms of science and advocacy, Lee reveals a more personal facet—a passionate fisherman with a love for Port Phillip and Corio Bay. Whether chasing snapper, whiting, or flathead, he finds solace in the waters, embodying a harmonious connection between his professional pursuits and personal pleasures. 

Understanding Fish Kills  

Fish kills are complicated. Understanding them requires dissection of blackwater events, hydrology, stratification, bacteria and algae, river infrastructure and flow. Interestingly, both the 2018 and 2023 ev