Brunswick River estuary

It’s a simple equation. If we want to catch fish and to enjoy our natural environment we must all look after our aquatic habitats.

In the past we did not value these habitats and they do not stay in good condition when under pressure. Many have been lost or degraded to the point where they no longer support healthy and diverse populations of fish.

Fewer fish and fewer fish species is not good news for our environment or our economy.

WHAT DO WE DO?

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is the agency responsible for implementing the Fisheries Management Act 1994. In terms of habitat management, this means we are involved in conserving fish populations and protecting fish habitats, conserving threatened species, populations and communities of fish and marine plants and promoting ecologically sustainable development.

Cattleyard swamp, western NSW. Photo: Sam Davis

The NSW Government and the community recognise the need for a proactive and strategic approach to the use and conservation of aquatic habitats. There are many things that need to be done to manage aquatic habitats, and the resources they provide, in an ecologically sustainable way.

NSW DPI recognises that managing aquatic resources on behalf of the whole community is a challenge. These resouces are used in many and sometimes competing ways, including consumptive use such as recreational,commercial and traditional fishers, non-consumptive use such as SCUBA divers and tourists, and the future uses by future generations.

Success depends on our working with landholders, local communities, local government, Catchment Management Authorities and others to protect and restore habitats: something we all benefit from … and your help is important!

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