Fishers invited to Fish Habitat Forum in Queanbeyan

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Fishers invited to Fish Habitat Forum in Queanbeyan
18 Jul 2012 - NSW Fisheries


Recreational fishers are being invited to come along to a Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum to be held at Queanbeyan to share their fish habitat stories.

In 2012 Fishers for Fish Habitat is going local with a series of small events planned in eight towns from Merimbula to Yamba, including Queanbeyan on Thursday 26 July 2012.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) conservation manager, Scott Nichols, said the events, which are being held at various locations around the State, aim to raise awareness of issues affecting fish habitat and the State’s fisheries resources.

"This year there will be a strong focus on what fishers are doing to improve local fish habitat and, in particular, we want to recognise fishers’ concerns about their local fish habitat and inspire others to get involved," he said.

"We are also launching the Talking Fish - Upper Murrumbidgee booklet, part of the Murray Darling Basin Authority's oral history project.

"This collection of stories about the Upper Murrumbidgee River and its fish, as well the fishers who've fished it, paints an evocative picture of how this river and its fish have changed."

President of the NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance, Malcolm Poole, said the forums are an opportunity for anglers to speak directly with Fisheries and Catchment Management Authority (CMA) representatives.

"What’s exciting about these events is the opportunity for like-minded fishers to get together to discuss habitat issues and identify ways to help make more fish, naturally," Mr Poole said.

The Fishers for Fish Habitat program is supported by funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, raised from the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee, and managed by DPI.

Additional funding is being provided this year by the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Strategy.

Fishers for Fish Habitat Forums will be held in Queanbeyan (26 July), Berowra (28 July), Port Macquarie (4 August) and Yamba (5 August).

Full details are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/forum2012.

Register to join a forum by calling 02 4916 3977, or register online at the Fishers for Fish Habitat forums 2012 web page.

Queanbeyan Fishers for Fish habitat Forum

Date: Thursday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm

Venue: RB Smith Community Centre (262 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan)

Please note that registration is required for catering and administration purposes.