Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Sweetwater on March 15, 2013, 08:33:00 PM
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Macquarie River fish to snag a new home
14 Mar 2013 - NSW DPI
Large snags are to be placed in the Macquarie River near Dubbo tomorrow to help repair fish habitat to celebrate the tenth birthday of Dubbo Macquarie River Bushcare.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Conservation Management Officer, Rodney Price, said the Dubbo Macquarie River Bushcare and the NSW Environmental Trust have partnered with DPI to give this special birthday present to fish in the Macquarie River.
“This gift was to be placed in the river during the birthday celebrations in November however due to high river levels we had to postpone the work,” Mr Price said.
“Tomorrow morning an excavator will place trees into the river at Pilchers Reserve.
“The trees were sourced from the Alkane Resources Ltd’s gold mine site at Tomingley. Alkane provided the trees, and funded specialist contractors, plant and equipment to harvest, trim and load the trees.
“The snags will be strategically placed at planned positions to ensure they remain anchored and provide homes for fish for decades to come.”
Mr Price said native fish populations have declined by 90 per cent across the Murray Darling Basin over the past 200 years.
“One of the factors contributing to this decline is a lack of habitat provided by dead trees in streams,” he said.
“Fish such as golden perch and Murray cod rely on woody habitat for shelter and spawning sites.
“For fish, a snag can be a supermarket, an apartment block and a maternity ward all rolled into one.
“Snags are also an important part of the aquatic ecosystem, playing a vital role in aquatic food webs and shaping of the river bed.”
To get to Pilchers Reserve, travel south from Dubbo on the Old Dubbo Road, turn right at Lazy River Estate and follow signs.
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Now there is something useful for a mining company to spend its loot on, instead of arts festivals for Toffs like Santo's is currently doing in Brisbane.