Artwork by students of Year 6/7, Loxton Primary School, Loxton, South Australia.

The River Murray is of critical importance to the history and culture of Australia as a resource for vital water supplies, transportation, settlement, economic development, and recreation. Different states and areas have developed their own irrigation regions and practices, and any activities upstream affect the quantity and quality of water downstream in South Australia.

Today the River is challenged by containment, the impact of human manipulation, and ecological disruptions. There is a greater understanding of the implications and consequences of exploiting the River's water resources. It is now recognised that for the long-term viability of the River as a water resource, there must be a balance of consumptive uses of water like irrigation, with the environmental need for sufficient flows of fresh water to keep the River Murray healthy.

The Murray Darling Basin Commission's Native fish strategy aims to 'to ensure that the Basin sustains viable fish populations and communities throughout its rivers', given that it is estimated that that current levels of native fish populations are about 10 per cent compared to pre-European settlement (Murray Darling Basin Commission: Native fish strategy).