"Nearly 3 million snags were removed from the Murray River. That is the equivalent of taking a reef out of an ocean."
The Murray River is a deceptive beauty. From the bank, watching the River Red Gums reflect in the calm, olive-green water, it appears pristine. But Tony Sharley knows that beneath the surface, the river is facing a housing crisis.
"We've reduced the carrying capacity for native fish, and in particular Murray cod, in the river down to about 16% of its original carrying capacity," says Tony, the Managing Director of Murray River Trails.
Tony isn't just a tour operator; he is a river scientist who has spent a lifetime reading the water. And he has a plan to fix the damage of the past, one timber pyramid at a time. He calls them "Fish Hotels."
In this interview, Tony sits down with Roger Smith, Director of Conservation Travel with Australian Geographic Travel, to discuss his evolution from river scientist to eco-tourism pioneer and his innovative mission to restore the Murray's lost habitats.
Watch the full interview with Tony below.