Sweetwater Fishing Forums

General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on April 19, 2011, 11:05:34 PM

Title: Native fish enjoy improved habitat in the Upper Hunter River
Post by: Editor on April 19, 2011, 11:05:34 PM
Native fish enjoy improved habitat in the Upper Hunter River13 Apr 2011

Over 500 logs have been used improve fish habitat and river bank stability in the Upper Hunter River, near Muswellbrook.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Conservation Manager, Kylie Russell, said funds from the
NSW Recreational Fishing Trust and the Commonwealth and NSW Government through the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority were used to complete the works.

“More than 500 logs have been used to construct ten new engineered log jams in the Upper Hunter River on Anglo Coal’s Dartbrook site, near Muswellbrook,” Ms Russell said.

“The log jams are wedged into the bank and held in place by piles driven into the river bed.

“These structures are made from logs generously provided by BHP Billiton’s Mt Arthur and Coal & Allied’s Mount Thorley Warkworth coal mines and are designed to be able to withstand large floods, with some of the logs weighing over two tonnes each.

“The log jams will assist in stabilising eroding river banks at the site and enhance fish habitat for native species such as Australian bass and mullet.

“The structures will give native fish a better fighting chance against pest species such as carp.”

The works were managed by NSW DPI and constructed by the river works crew of the Land and Property Management Service.

Ms Russell said this is the third stage of a project that is designed to improve fish habitat in the Upper Hunter River.

“This project has resulted in nine fish hotels and 15 engineered log jams installed over the past two years in neighbouring river reaches,” Ms Russell said.

“Strategically placed hard instream habitat such as log jams help to direct flows away from eroding banks, create and maintain deep holes in the river bed, and also provide a substrate for the growth of algae and insects at the bottom of the food chain.

“This rehabilitation of degraded habitat is important to help native fish find food, take shelter, hide from predators, grow and most importantly to breed.”



Source: NSW Fisheries