The current state of food resources supporting waterbird and fish populations in the Coorong

The Coorong is widely regarded as the most important waterbird wetland in the Murray-Darling Basin. The current ecological condition of the Coorong, however, is deteriorated, particularly in the South Lagoon. Since the Millennium Drought, there have been further reductions in the abundances of important waterbirds, including some threatened species (e.g. fairy tern) and migratory waders. Restoration actions are required to improve the ecological health of the Coorong. Over the last nine months, a range of urgent investigations have been conducted to obtain critical data and knowledge to inform effective management of the Coorong. This study aimed to understand the current state of potential food resources for waterbird and fish populations in the Coorong during late summer 2019. Specific objectives were to: 1)assess the current abundance, biomassand diversity of macro-invertebrate and fish in the Coorong, as a potential prey resources; and 2) trial methods for assessing energy content of these resources.