In episode five of OzCast, we look below the surface with fisheries scientist Dr Craig Boys to address what he considers one of biggest threats to native fish across Australia - unscreened irrigation pumps. In this in-depth chat, Craig explains why 97 million fish are killed every year in NSW alone due to unscreened irrigation pumps. With the understanding that there are additional loses in other states, his research paints a very grim picture for native fish survival. Craig explains the use of fish screens in the United States has been a requirement for decades but not here in Australia. However, not all is lost. There is technology and infrastructure that Aussie irrigators have at their disposal through years of research that can prevent 100 per cent of these deaths - modern fish screens built for Aussie fish and Aussie rivers.  

Craig Boys is a distinguished fisheries scientist from New South Wales and one of the leading figures of screening technology in the country. With expertise in fish ecology, he serves as a Principal Research Scientist for the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) and holds the position of Adjunct Associate Professor of Research at Charles Sturt University. 

Over the course of his impressive 20-year career, Craig has worked extensively across various regions, including Australia, South East Asia, Europe and America. He has dedicated his research efforts to collaborating with the primary industries sector, to enhancing environmental outcomes within these industries while supporting fish survival. 

One of Craig's primary focus areas is in the design and operation of water infrastructure to facilitate safe fish passage and foster healthier fish populations. Throughout this episode, Craig sheds light on the different ways fish can be a victim to water infrastructure, such as weirs, regulators and hydropower plants, as well as the design of river diversions and pumps. 

Over the past 200 years, Australia has increasingly diverted more and more water from our inland rivers to maintain the demand of irrigation and agriculture. Craig has visited and worked on a variety of these <span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammar