Monaro Acclimatisation Society

09/09/2026

Posters for the Gaden Open Day 3 Oct - formal opening of the Snowy Hydro grow out facility.
For those who can't scan the QR codes, they are tinyurl/GadenHatcheryOpenDay and tinyurl/GadenHatcheryWorkshops ... MAS are intending to put on some fly casting classes (rods kindly provided by Canberra Anglers Association) 👍

01/09/2026

A SA wetland has been cleared of carp even before the virus. Some discussion on the broader carp situation. 🤔

While conservationists and fishers have formed an action group calling for more management of the pest fish now, Teal Flat provides a glimpse of what could be possible, even without a carp herpes virus.

11/08/2026

A Question to Our 'Brains Trust'
DPIRD Fisheries have approached MAS for advice. The research folk are looking to install automated fish counter monitoring using transportable/ temporary Vaki fish counters in the Tantangara catchment. These systems are designed to detect spawning fish (so generally need to be at least 20cm to register). They have two new counters ready for deployment, with one of these already installed as a quick trial in Mufflers Creek (see the photos setup and a brown that went through it the day after) and another to go out this week. They are also working on getting these setup for the live data feed to the Vaki riverwatcher daily website like their other system (provided they can get internet connectivity).

Tantangara Creek and the Murrumbidgee River above the dam are probably too large for the current counter setup, similar to the Eucumbene River, so they are looking to identify smaller tributaries that may be important for trout spawning. They are looking at Nungar Creek as another likely candidate stream but are open to other locations. Pop any suggestions you have into comments and we'll collate with the ideas we have generated. 👍

This monitoring will be important for baselining Tantangara trout fishery in advance of Snowy Hydro 2.0 commencing operation. Will assist the management of this important fishery.

07/08/2026

Latest photosfrom DPIRD of the new grow-out facility at Gaden Hatchery using some high water reticulation systems. Recall this has been funded by Snowy Hydro 2.0 to meet commitments made in the Environmental Impact Statement. Will be officially launched at a Gaden Open Day on Sat 3 Oct. MAS will participate. Probably giving lessons in fly casting. More info in due course. 🎣👍

11/07/2026

Just a reminder that the next meeting is at Bidgee Lodge Cooma at 1pm on Saturday 1st of August. There will be a sausage sizzle before the meeting.

There are some important things to discuss at the meeting. Primarily whether we will hold a roundtable meeting with the full range of involved parties to discuss ways we can ensure an ongoing trout fishery on the Monaro and the survival of native species in the wake of stocking bans.

07/07/2026

The NSW Parliament has a select committee examining access restrictions to public lands and waterways, eg our access via crown land to fishing sites. MAS (thanks due to Steve Samuels for his work) made a written submission. We were subsequently invited to appear before the committee in person. MAS was ably represented by our Honorary Solicitor Adrian Maroya. The detailed submission and a video clip of the verbal evidence is available on our website

MAS news

25/06/2026

MAS, through President of our Queanbeyan Branch, has been formally engaged with the review into the management of Snowy waters. In this context there was a very interesting webinar looking at the economic value of this water. The presentation by energy economist Associate Professor Gordon Leslie is available here:
https://theforgottenriver.au/updates/the-value-of-water
The website also provides a summary of the insights.

Hear from one of Australia's leading energy economists for on how water stored in Tantangara Reservoir is valued, allocated and managed, and what it means for the future of the Upper Bidgee’.

23/06/2026

Gaden is the subject of a recent tourist promotion:
https://destinationjindabyne.com.au/behind-the-scenes-at-gaden-trout-hatcherys-new-facilities/
Plus a related Jindabyne Community Noticeboard Facebook post which includes a short video clip of the new indoors hatchery tanks.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1bpThTCFMq/
Goodonya Paul and the staff - hope to catch up at the promised open day on Oct long weekend (if not before)👍

For many visitors, a trip to the Gaden Trout Hatchery means feeding fish, wandering around the ponds and learning more about the trout that have become synonymous with the Snowy Mountains.

22/06/2026

Many of you may be unaware that the Khancoban Angling Club also acts as the Khancoban branch of MAS. They are a very active organisation - and well done from us for their latest project.
https://www.facebook.com/share/191y3nMxWZ/

01/06/2026

The Trout Growout facility at Gaden Hatchery, funded by Snowy Hydro 2.0, is taking shape. 👌