Funds now available to restore fish habitats

Community groups, individuals, fishing clubs, Landcare and Rivercare groups and local councils interested in restoring fish habitats are invited to apply for a new round of funding through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.

A total of $360,000 is available for the 2005/2006 financial year.

Interested groups are invited to apply for funding for projects that help rehabilitate fish environments and encourage native fish back into our waterways.

Up to $30,000 is available for individual projects on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis. Groups or individuals may match funds either with in-kind support, cash or a combination of both.

The latest round of funding follows on from the highly successful three-year fish habitat program for freshwater species, which received $300,000 from the Freshwater Recreational FishingTrust.

It also follows the success of the two-year pilot program in the Clarence River, which helped restore tidal flows, habitat and fish passage to 37 hectares of estuarine wetlands, among other benefits. This project received $120,000 from the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trust.

More than 50 projects received funding in the past year, with projects ranging from removal of barriers to aid the movement of native fish, to restoration of tidal flows, the re-establishment of native riparian vegetation, and re-snagging rivers.

These community projects have provided fantastic results for our native Australian fish.

Money raised from the sale of fishing licences are placed into the two Recreational Fishing Trusts, and is then invested in a range of projects to improve recreational fishing in NSW.

Expenditure from both trusts is overseen by committees of expert anglers, who advise on which projects should be funded.

Applications for funding close on Friday, October 28.