Welcome to 'Basin Kids', a site prepared especially for students, their parents and teachers to explore the facts and issues relating to the vast Murray-Darling Basin. Click on the 'Find Out' section for an online encyclopedia containing information that is great for school projects and reports. In the 'Games' section you will find some interactive games and downloadable activity sheets. Click on 'The Challenge' and download 'The Taking Up the Challenge' brochure to find out more about issues in the Murray-Darling Basin that need to be resolved.

To coincide with the release of the native fish strategy, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission has extended the 'Basin Kids' education website to include a 'Basin Fish' section which provides information on native and alien fish found in the Murray-Darling Basin. 'Basin Fish' is presented in an interesting and easy-to-read format, with a glossary that has links to the fish information section and offers a fascinating insight into how fish are named. There is also a fun interactive in which students can create their own 3D fish and watch it come alive.

About the Native Fish Strategy

The Murray Darling Basin is one of the largest catchment areas in the world. Almost two million people depend on its resources and the value of its agricultural produce exceeds $10 billion each year. It is home to many unique plants and animals which have adapted to the region, being able to survive long periods of drought and capitalise on sudden flooding. The health of the Basin's plants and animals is a primary indicator of the health of its rivers.

Over the past 200 years (since European settlement) the population of native fish in the Basin has declined dramatically, to around 10% of pre-settlement levels. This is due to a number of things such as changes to water flow, thermal pollution and the introduction of alien fish species. Unless corrective measures are taken urgently, native fish populations will be unsustainable in the long term.

The Native Fish Strategy was developed by a team of government agency representatives, private interest groups and individuals who are concerned with the declining populations of native fish. Its overall goal is to rehabilitate native fish communities in the Basin back to 60% of estimated pre-settlement populations over the next 50 years. This will be achieved through measures including restoring fish passage and environmental flows and rehabilitation of river reaches. The 'Basin Fish' section of the 'Basin Kids' website is one of the proposed initiatives to educate young people about this unique and important part of Australia.