Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on July 28, 2013, 10:59:11 PM
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Sydney fish flourish with improved habitat at Lane Cove
(http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/470303/Tree-Planting-Credit-Friends-of-Lane-Cove-National-Park_small.jpg)
Tree planting on banks of the Lane Cove River - photo courtesy of Friends of Lane Cove National Park
01 Jul 2013 - NSW DPI
Simple but effective volunteer action is helping to make a big difference for fish living within one of Sydney’s national parks and creating more native fish in the process.
Thanks to a Recreational Fishing Trust Fish Habitat Action Grant, the health of Lane Cove River is undergoing a transformation for one of the state’s favourite sports fish, Australian Bass.
Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Habitat Action Grants coordinator Fisheries Conservation Manager, Charlotte Jenkins, said the Lane Cove River Australian Bass Habitat project is a great example of different groups of people working harmoniously to tackle a major environmental issue and achieving some fantastic outcomes for native fish in the process.
“This project shows just what can be achieved when passionate people with a shared goal get together and work at improving fish habitat,” Ms Jenkins said
“The project improved local fish habitat by removing over 2.3 kilometres of dense riverbank weeds, revegetating where needed with 500 native plants and providing an opportunity for natural regeneration to occur.
“Friends of Lane Cove National Park and Bass Sydney volunteers together with staff from National Parks worked together and enhanced water quality, provided more food and shelter for fish.
“In the long term the habitat improvements are helping to create more fish, naturally.
“Healthy native riverbank vegetation provides food for fish such as Australian Bass which are known to get nearly half their summer diet from insects falling from overhanging riverbank vegetation.
“The vegetation can also help to filter nutrients and sediment from run off, improving water quality and improving bank stability through reduced erosion, making it healthier for the waterway and safer for fisher access too.”
Habitat Action Grants will again be available in August for recreational fishers, local Councils, conservation groups and individuals to improve fish habitat in their local areas and help to make more fish.
“I would like to encourage fishers and community groups in and around Sydney to start thinking how they can improve their local waterway, to help benefit fish habitat for healthy fish populations,” Ms Jenkins said.
“It’s a good idea if individuals and groups start planning your project now, identify a habitat issue and decide on how you want to tackle it.”
For advice on the Habitat Action Grants and assistance with project planning contact fish.habitat@dpi.nsw.gov.au or call 02 66261107.