As mentioned in my previous post, here is a sample of Tom Anderson's style... not scientific, but very effective.

Tom's anecdote on causes and effects on our fragile eco-systems:

"Tom there's dead fish floating all over my dam! You #*#_@ come and look... they're being poisoned."

An early morning phone call from an upset landowner... not a good start to the day. I've been an advisor in aquatic weed control for over fifteen years and dead fish have become a fact of life. There is no joy in dead fish... makes me feel like I've just run over the family dog.

Growing fish in farm dams has become very popular in recent years...fingerlings are inexpensive and can be flown anywhere in Australia. In reality fish are Clayton's pets... the pet you have but never see. Unless you are lucky enough to catch one, or they suddenly die.

Why do fish insist on floating... for all the world to see... obviously one of natures faulty designs. If they sank, no one would know, no phone calls... and I'd be able to sleep in.

Experience enables us to recognise our mistakes when we repeat them... here was a delicate situation... a farm's advisor doesn't want rotten correspondence on dead fish. The best way to handle it is an immediate response... be tactful...  provide a sympathetic ear... don't commit yourself... if all the farm advisors were laid end to end, they still wouldn't reach a conclusion, only definite maybe's.

"I'll come over straight away"

As I approached the property, I recalled visiting the place 6 months ago. The road followed a sandy ridge...spotted gum and blady grass...hungry country, a fragile ecosystem that should not have been developed into hobby farms.

Originally a photographer from Sydney, the owner had escaped the stress of city life to settle on ten acres to taste the trauma of rural life, and to terrify farm advisors with dead fish. On my last visit he was seeking advice on hitting gum tree regrowth which was interfering with his pasture... how could that have killed fish? But somehow I was responsible. I remember arriving back then, shaking his hand, kissing his wife and complimenting her on the neat appearance of her small children.

We had the traditional cup of tea and parted friends. Today was different: I was a poisoner of fish.

His three daughters were all mad about horses.So on ten acres were kept 3 horses, 1 cow, geese, and not a blade of grass. All stock food was bought in. We walked down the dirt bare hill to a dam... floating on the surface were about 40 snow white bellies of silver perch. 

... "that stuff you told me to use on the tree suckers was deadly... like using a hatchet to swat mosquitoes" I silently studied a stiff specimen. "Well, what do you think?" I thought, good question... 'maybe the fish are asleep or practising stiff backstroke'.

Now you sprayed the gum trees about 5 months ago...the chemical recommended has a life expectancy of 3 weeks, and is of low toxicity to wildlife, including fish, so we can rule out herbicide poisoning. These fish have the classic symptoms of suffocation; mouth wide open... gills spread... all died on the one morning indicating a lack of oxygen. Your dam acts like a sink receiving manure silt washed down from the bare paddock... polluting the water and stripping the oxygen. Your farm layout is as useful as a chocolate teapot... teapot a good word.... "Would you like a cup of tea?" ... I thought you'd never ask!

That afternoon we designed a paddock system that fenced off a few acres around the dam to grow just grass which would act as a filter to remove manure and silt before it reached the dam. Also we removed the stinking dead fish before they polluted the water. Returning home I felt pleased with the days outcome... having defused a nasty situation... no correspondence.

What's for dinner?... your favourite... fish casserole. Oh, lets eat out tonight... I've had enough dead fish today.

I hope readers have a good Christmas break, and enjoy some time out in the Noosa Biosphere.