Fishing licence fees to fix fish habitat

Grants totalling almost $300,000 have been allocated to community groups, landholders, recreational anglers and local Councils for 18 fish habitat projects throughout NSW.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation Manager, Cameron Lay said in addition to the funding more than $1.1 million has been committed as in-kind support from the successful applicants.

“Funding to restore and rehabilitate freshwater and saltwater fish habitats was provided through the Recreational Fishing Trusts with the ultimate outcome being more fish in our rivers and estuaries,” Mr Lay said.
The 18 projects covered a range of popular fishing spots such as the Hawkesbury, Richmond, Macintyre, Bombala, Manning, Nambucca and Clyde catchments.

They include saltmarsh and mangrove rehabilitation in coastal estuaries, improving fish passage at a number of barriers including the causeway to Stuart Island on the Nambucca River, and the construction of a fishway on the Gloucester River.

Projects will enhance the health of NSW waterways including Mullet Creek near Wollongong and the Murrumbidgee River near Hay, through the removal of weeds, river bank stabilisation, and fencing to exclude cattle,” Mr Lay said.

Rehabilitation of fish habitat will provide long-term sustainable benefits for native fish stocks which will ultimately benefit anglers and local communities.

“The Recreational Fishing Trust Habitat Grant Program, which is now in it’s fifth year, is a great example of how anglers’ money is being invested back into the sport they love,” Mr Lay said.

Funds raised through the sale of the recreational fishing fee are placed into two trusts, one for saltwater and one for freshwater. Expenditure from both trusts is overseen by expert angler committees on behalf of the recreational fishing community.

A full list of projects can be found at
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/inland/fish_habitat_grants (for freshwater projects)
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/coastal/habitat-rehabilitation (for saltwater projects)

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