Re-snagging demo a feature at Dubbo Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum

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Re-snagging demo a feature at Dubbo Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum

18 Aug 2014 - NSW DPI

A re-snagging demonstration will be a key feature at the Dubbo Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum this Friday and Saturday, 22-23 August.

"Re-snagging activities are creating more homes for native fish in the local Macquarie River," said Rodney Price, Fisheries Regional Officer with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

"As any good fisherman knows, if you want to catch a Murray Cod you fish around the snags.

"Snags are important instream structures, usually made up of tree limbs, logs and root balls, that provide a place for native fish to take shelter, and ambush prey."

Mr Price said fishers are invited to come along to the Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum at Club Dubbo to find out how snags are being put back and improving fish habitat.

"Participants in the Forum will go on a field trip to see a re-snagging demonstration on Saturday morning including a delicious riverbank BBQ breakfast.

"They will witness first-hand how new homes are being created for native fish and see that it's not as simple as throwing sticks in the river."

Mr Price said unfortunately many river systems in NSW had in the past been de-snagged.

"Thousands of snags were removed to make way for paddler steamers or to reduce erosion, as was thought at the time. Riverbanks have also been cleared in many areas so the input of potential snags in the future has been reduced.

"Research has since shown how important this instream structure is for native fish and for the health of the river, providing diverse habitats, stabilising river beds and banks and helping to create refuge pools."

Charlotte Jenkins DPI Fisheries Regional officer, said the Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum is a free event for recreational anglers and is a fantastic opportunity for like-minded recreational anglers to come together to find out what action they can take or be a part of to make their fishing better.

The re-snagging activities on the Macquarie River are funded via the Central West Local Land Services and supported by Alkane Resources who provided the snags.

The Fishers for Fish Habitat program is supported using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. See more details online

Register to join the forum by calling 6881 1210 or 6626 1107, or register online at the Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum 2014 web page. Registrations are being taken for single days.

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