A fish hatchery that provides species for hundreds of waterways across Victoria is under threat due to logging in the state's north, according to environmentalists.
The Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery near Eildon provides fish for over 200 waterways and breeds the threatened Murray cod and the endangered Macquarie perch and trout cod.
It also contributes billions of dollars to the angling industry annually.
But a number of environmentalists and industry groups say widespread logging in the area is muddying waterways and threatening fish populations at the hatchery.
Aquatic scientist and president of Native Fish Australia Tim Curmi said the catchment needed to be preserved.
"No-one seems to care that the future of two endangered species, and the breeding of small endangered fish, is at stake," he said.
'Too muddy' to breed healthy fish
The hatchery is currently the only State Government-run hatchery that supplies fish throughout Victoria.
Anglers consider it the backbone of recreational fishing in the state, contributing $2.8 billion annually to the sector.
Snobs Creek environmentalist Rod Falconer had been testing water quality in the area and believed deforestation had caused murkiness to increase in the waterways.
He said average readings of the water over a six-month period showed a 200 per cent spike above 10 nephelometric turbidity units, which was the standard for a healthy trout stream.
"Some fish can only survive in very fresh, clear water and there's got to be a constant flow — we're concerned that's not happening now," Mr Falconer said.
"Once you start logging in areas you start to change the biodiversity of the forest, which is critical for fish."
Water quality, flow affected by logging
The Victorian Government earmarked the logging of more than 1,500 hectares of catchment in the area and Mr Curmi said he believed the logging would severely decrease water yield in the future.
He said many of the fish populations needed good quality, clear water in order to flourish.
"Logging makes a huge difference to things like water quality and flow and therefore that has a direct affect on the water quality going into the hatchery," Mr Curmi said.
The groups held numerous meetings with Vic Forests but said no resolution was reached.
"The Snobs Creek catchment should be preserved to ensure the future survival of fish breeding at the hatchery," Mr Curmi said.
"We should at least have buffer strips of 100 metres or more around the creek."
In a statement, a spokesperson for VicForests said it had met with the Victorian Fisheries Authority's Snobs Creek advisory board to monitor the situation.
The spokesperson said the health of the creek continued to be a priority.
"VicForests will be using a retention harvesting system in the Snobs Creek area; this system protects more trees to maintain habitat, protect water quality and support biodiversity.
"We respond to community and stakeholder input and have worked closely with the VFA regarding our operations in the Snobs Creek area for many years."
