Last week we found out some terrible news.
In November, 17 critically endangered freshwater sawfish died in a dry creek on Liveringa Station in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment.
This is the second mass sawfish kill on the station owned by billionaire Gina Rinehart, which also has a license to pump water from a tributary of the Martuwarra.
Read ABC’s report on the death of 17 sawfish in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment.
Sawfish have roamed our freshwater rivers since the time of dinosaurs and were once found across the globe, but due to climate change, habitat loss and overfishing, the species have disappeared by 80 per cent globally.
The mighty Martuwarra Fitzroy River is the last stronghold for the sawfish and its last great nursery – which is why protecting the river is crucial for its survival.
This latest fish kill is a sad reminder of why the surface flows of Martuwarra Fitzroy River must be left alone and not put at risk for large-scale development.
