• focus on the possibilities not the problems. There is a shrinking audience out there for problems generally. For freshwater biodiversity problems the audience is insufficient to provide the political will to actually implement the formal policies and legislation carefully crafted by us bureaucrats and shepherded through the political approval process. Until we raise awareness, understanding, emotional appreciation and commitment about both the values and vulnerabilities of freshwater biota and ecosystems we will not see much contested water left in natural rivers. While the utilitarian appreciators of natural rivers (mainly anglers, rafters/kayakers) have grown their support base and community understanding and commitment to a fair share for instream "users", the intrinsic values of natural rivers and the opportunities for low impact interactions by the average jo remain woefully underappreciated.
• focus on personalising the potential opportunities in nature conservation. We have to grow a shrinking constituency, and its even harder for freshwater than marine because of water clarity limitations. Jacques Cousteau's movies placed me behind his camera and I have been hooked for 40 years. I have extended his hook into NZ marine reserves and deep clear lakes, with an ongoing catch in the DVD pipeline. My few attempts in rivers have produced usable results only for clear lake or spring fed river ecosystems with largely native plants (mostly within existing protected areas). But our most vulnerable river types are not so videogenic, so what to do? Snorkel trails in rivers?? The science alone does not sell, we need compelling stories with real people in them. Anglers and kayakers can do it, so can the naturalists (not naturists)

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