LAKE CONDAH WATER RESTORATION

An important component of the Lake Condah Sustainable Development Project is the water restoration of Lake Condah.  Surrounding Lake Condah is an elaborately constructed aquaculture system that propergated and harvested the short-finned eel.

AQUACULTURE

Once harvested, the Gunditjmara would either consume the eel or smoke the meat for storage.  The Gunditjmara also developed an economic relationship with neighbouring groups through the trade of the smoked meat. 

ECONOMIC TRADE ROUTES

These economic trading routes also included other materials, such as possum skin cloaks and tools.  Significant ceremonial items were also exchanged between groups.  Message sticks that travelled far across different groups and languages.

WEIRS, CHANNELS & PONDS

The are many natural requirements that promote the growth of eels.  It is believed that the Gunditjmara transformed the natural environment to a constructed system of weirs, channels and ponds that replicated the eel's natural environment and in some places, greatly enhanced the natural component to promote the growth of eels.