JEPARIT has become a smorgasbord for pelicans as water temperature and quality changes fish behaviour.
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Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Brennan said a unique situation was occurring in the town.
“At the moment, water temperature is rising in other areas and as it gets hotter, oxygen levels and water quality gets poorer,” he said.
“So we are seeing carp migrate to the Jeparit weir, where there is fresh water tipping over at the moment.
“We’ve also got thousands of Australian smelt, which is a small-bodied fish, in there.”
Mr Brennan said the combination of carp, smelt and other fish such as redfin had created an ideal situation for thousands of pelicans.
“The birds are having an absolute field day in there,” he said.
“It’s not so good for the fish, but good for the pelicans.
“It’s a a unique scene there at the moment – this doesn’t happen very often.
“It’s great to see water bodies in the region can create a ‘boom-or-bust’ scenario.”