Tropical River Consulting
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Electrofishing

Electrofishing is a non-lethal and highly-efficient form of aquatic sampling that is used throughout the world by government agencies and private consulting firms. Use of the equipment requires highly trained personnel to ensure target and non-target animals are not harmed and that the equipment is correctly adjusted for the local environment and the safety of operators.

Tropical River Consulting has constructed its own Cairns Custom Craft 4.1m commercially surveyed vessel, fitted out with world leading Smith-Root electrofishing gear. Complete with an off-road trailer, this equipment is proven in extreme environments from rugged roads, station tracks and rivers of the Gulf of Carpentaria to the sodden cane fields of the wet tropics.

Tropical River Consulting also maintains a state of the art Smith-Root - LR-24 backpack electrofisher for small water bodies such as shallow streams, drains and irrigation channels. With digitally adjustable settings, this equipment is highly efficient and can be used in a wide range of environments.

Our staff have 14 years experience using electrofishing equipment in a wide range of locations and conditions. Water conductivity, temperature and turbidity all influence the effectiveness of electricity in water. Using this information, the electrofishing equipment can be adjusted to the most effective settings. An inexperienced operator may be the difference between a comprehensive fish biodiversity survey with no fish injuries and a lesser alternative.

Tropical River Consulting works under the Australian Electrofishing Code of Practice.

For a copy of the Electrofishing Code of Practice or more information on electrofishing feel free to contact us.









Electrofishing
Gill Netting
Water Quality
Water Velocity
Habitat
Gill Netting

Tropical River consulting has permits to sample using gill nets. Gill netting is important when sampling species that are difficult to electrofish such as sawfish, bull and spear-toothed sharks and freshwater rays. It is also imperative in saline areas where electrofishing ineffective. Tropical River Consulting can combine electrofishing and gill netting methods during biodiversity studies to ensure all species are sampled.




Water Quality

Tropical River Consulting maintains TPS 90FL-T water quality meters. Fitted with YSI probes, this equipment is calibrated daily and is ideal for instantaneous testing of pH, conductivity/total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity.

Instant measurement of these parameters can be useful for determining the potential health of the aquatic ecosystem. Our staff have an excellent understanding of the ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines and has real world experience with water quality variability and its impacts on aquatic life. Collecting water quality data, in conjunction with fish diversity, abundance and landscape information, allows us to understand how a local ecosystem works. This in turn provides us with the information to make recommendations on how to protect or sustainably develop the area, while maintaining aquatic ecosystem functionality.

In addition to instantaneous water quality data we have relationships with NATA accredited laboratories and can arrange for the testing of nutrients, metals, pesticides, herbicides and sediments. Strict protocols are followed to ensure the integrity and accuracy of results.






Water Velocity

Tropical River Consulting uses the Hydrological Services OSS-B1 Universal Current Meter to measure water velocity and quantities. This is a world recognised instrument for measuring the velocity of water in streams, open canals, pressure pipes, lakes and seas.

Combining knowledge of fish behaviour and capabilities, and flow rates through in-stream structures, Tropical River Consulting can identify potential fish barriers and make recommendations on remedial works.






Habitat

Tropical River Consulting has developed comprehensive habitat data parameters to collect all the information to compliment fish biodiversity and abundance data. These include both in-stream and riparian vegetation, substrates, disturbance ratings, in-stream cover and flow.

Our experience, combined with collected data, assists us to identify local- and catchment- scale threatening processes, critical habitats eg. fish spawning sites and changing river geomorphology. We then make practical recommendations to maintain or enhance your local environment.






Copyright © 2011 Tropical River Consulting   |   Electrofishing Specialists