Seminar examines the role of snags in freshwater environments

The role of snags in freshwater environments is the next topic for a highly successful series of public seminars being held by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

The seminar will be held Wednesday 29 November at 7 pm at NSW DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre, John Lake Centre, Buckingbong Road, Narrandera.

Guest speakers, NSW DPI Aquatic Rehabilitation Conservation Managers Jenny Fredrickson and Charlotte Grove, will give a broad overview of a project seeking to improve habitat in the Murray River by re-snagging sections of the reach between Hume Dam and Yarrawonga.

They will discuss how this project has improved fish numbers and provide advice on how community groups can undertake their own projects.

Ms Fredrickson said the resnagging project, funded by the Murray Darling Basin Commission’s program ‘The Living Murray’, was the biggest of its kind ever undertaken in Australia.

The Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation Unit within NSW DPI is conducting the work. The project aims to reinstate around 4000 woody habitats (snags) during the next three years and reverse the impact of desnagging works that saw almost 25,000 snags removed between 1976 and 1986.

Ms Fredrickson said native fish would greatly benefit when snags were placed in parts of the river to act as habitat for fish to spawn, feed and avoid predators.

The project started in July, and already more than 300 woody habitats have been placed in the river to assist the recovery of many native fish species including Murray cod and the endangered trout cod.

 “Woody habitat is vital for the survival and growth of many native fish species, such as golden perch, Murray cod and trout cod – many of which are threatened due to lack of habitat and shelter in this section of the Murray River,” Ms Fredrickson said.

“Snags have traditionally been removed from rivers to make them navigable, or because it was believed that they caused additional flooding at times of peak flow. However, snags are now viewed in a different light with research showing they are vital for healthy functioning rivers.”

Before and after the seminar, the John Lake Centre (which includes an aquarium and poster display) will be open for inspection. NSW DPI staff will also be available to discuss topics in greater detail.

The talk will take approximately an hour and the evening will conclude at about 9 pm. Light refreshments and a BBQ will be available after the seminar at a cost of $3 per person.

Due to limited seating arrangements, the maximum attendance is 55 people, so to avoid disappointment please book by Monday 27 November. Bookings can be made by calling the centre on (02) 6959 9021 between 9 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

If you intend to stay for the BBQ please inform a staff member when you book. If you have booked but cannot make the evening, for catering purposes, it would be appreciated if you could phone the centre to cancel your booking.