Fix breeding ground for Darling fish
From the September 2007 edition of Agriculture Today.
Landholders and government are working together to improve the aquatic habitat and provide better breeding grounds for native fish in the lower Darling River.
From late July until September this year the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) plans to replace river snags which will assist the recovery of native species including Murray cod, golden perch and the endangered silver perch.
NSW DPI senior conservation manager, Adam Vey, said 19 woody habitats or snags would provide fish with places to spawn, feed and avoid predators.
“During the last 150 years snags have been removed to improve river navigation and now we’re replacing snags in three sites,” Mr Vey said.
“Resnagging has an additional environmental benefit because we’re recycling timber from the Robinvale Bridge, Pooncarie Mine powerline and other construction sites.”
Mr Vey said the involvement and cooperation of landholders had been a key factor in the project.
“We’ve worked closely with landholders to ensure a positive outcome for both native fish and the local community.”
The three sites are along the reach of the river extending 15 kilometres upstream of the Burtundy Weir.
The resnagging work will be completed by the NSW DPI Aquatic Rehabilitation Unit with funding from the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority as part of the Aquatic Ecological Communities project.
Funding was provided from the National Action Plan for Salinity & Water Quality.
Adam Vey can be contacted to provide additional information on the resnagging project, telephone (02) 6042 4205.
Photographs available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au
