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Fish experts land Honorary Doctorates
Having three species of fish named after them is just one indication of the significant contribution that Hamar and Mary Midgley have made to the scientific understanding of Australian aquatic life.
The self-taught authorities on the freshwater biology and ecology (limnology) of northern Australian streams and impoundments have been Sunshine Coast residents for more than 65 years.
In that time, Hamar and Mary have conducted extensive research across northern Australia and pioneered the process of stocking dams with freshwater fish.
In fact, anyone who has landed perch or saratoga at Imbil’s Borumba Dam or caught fish from any other dam across Queensland can tip their hat to the Midgleys.
The Bli Bli residents, both now in their early 90s, will be recognised for their life’s work when they receive Honorary Doctorates from USC’s Chancellor John Dobson OAM and Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill at a special ceremony at Boyanda Hostel on Monday 18 April.
Hamar and Mary started their work in the 1950s by studying Australian bass in the Maroochy and Noosa Rivers, and did not retire until 2001, when they were aged 81 and 79 respectively.
Hamar and Mary Midgley pioneered: native fish stocking of impoundments with the official release of spotted barramundi into Borumba Dam; the use of knotless nets and anaesthetics for handling fish; transport of native fish over long distances; hormone-induced breeding of native fish; and the use of a catheter to sex fish.
They also were the first to: demonstrate Australian bass migrated to breed in brackish water; describe reproduction in the mouth-brooding spotted barramundi; identify that snub-nosed garfish can breed in freshwater; and identify that golden perch breed in winter in the Lake Eyre System.
Professor Hill praised the couple for their extensive scientific research, meticulous documentation and for their environmental work in helping preserve places like the Noosa National Park, Cooloola Sands and the Maroochy River environs.
“For their significant contributions to scientific knowledge in the area of freshwater biology and ecology, USC is delighted to award both Hamar and Mary Midgley with Honorary Doctorates,” he said.
“They are recognised as being two of the first limnologists, and indeed scientists, to emanate from the Sunshine Coast.
“Their database of fish, crustacea and molluscs, water chemistry and stream characteristics – collected in a most disciplined way over 40 years – is an important and lasting contribution to this region and to Australia.
“They have now entrusted this database to the University of the Sunshine Coast in the interests of making their foundation work available for ongoing research.”
The couple’s work features extensively in the seminal Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia, published by Allen, Allen and Midgley in 2002.
The three fish named after the Midgleys are the: silver cobbler, Arius midgleyi; Midgley’s grunter, Pingalla midgleyi; and Midgdley’s carp gudgeon, Hypseleotris sp.
— Terry Walsh