Woody snags that improve fish habitat are this week being introduced to the Castlereagh River Demonstration Reach downstream of Coonabarabran, said Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald.

Mr Macdonald said NSW Department of Primary Industries in collaboration with the Central West Catchment Management Authority is undertaking the resnagging work, which will involve the reintroduction of at least 100 tonnes of woody habitats (snags) into two reaches of the Castlereagh River.

"Resnagging is proposed to increase the loading of large woody habitat at sites where the presence of snags is currently very low or devoid," Mr Macdonald said.

With the cooperation of local landholders and contractors, large woody debris has been sought from legal land clearings. This is a valuable in-kind contribution to the project and should encourage other local landholders and community groups to preserve large woody debris for snagging in their own reach.

Resnagging works require approval from the NSW DPI Aquatic Habitat Protection Unit and the Department of Lands.

Shaun Morris, Conservation Management Officer with NSW DPI said snags provide important habitat for a range of aquatic animals especially native fish.

"The presence of wood in stream environments is essential for many species of native fish to complete their life cycle, providing refuge and shelter, feeding and spawning sites," he said.

"Snags can also reduce the frequency of algal blooms by rapidly removing nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column."

Removal of snags from NSW rivers has been listed as a key threatening process under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 because of its negative impacts on several threatened or vulnerable species.

These works will complement other activities being undertaken as part of the Upper Castlereagh Demonstration Reach which include riparian fencing, exotic tree control and the establishment of off-stream watering points.

Anyone interested in further information about the Upper Castlereagh Demonstration Reach Project should contact Shaun Morris (Conservation Management Officer - NSW DPI) on 6881 1270.

Media contact: Phil Bevan (02) 66261350 or 0429 458 053