$70,000 to restore NSW saltwater fish habitats

Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, today announced a second round of funding from the Recreational Fishing Trust worth almost $70,000 to help rehabilitate saltwater fish habitats in the Clarence River catchment.

Mr Dunn said the seven projects to be funded under the Clarence Habitat Grant Program would regenerate about 110 hectares of wetlands, mangroves and saltmarsh and 7 km of river and riverbank.

"The Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee has supported the expenditure of $120,000 over two years on the Clarence Pilot Habitat Grant Program to rehabilitate saltwater fish habitats", said Mr Dunn.

"Today's announcement is a good example of how anglers' money is being used to support efforts in improving fish habitats and consequently wild fish stocks."

The Clarence Pilot Habitat Grant Program will rehabilitate approximately 356 hectares of floodplain and wetland habitat, 4.5 hectares of riverbank vegetation and see fish passage reinstated to over 5 km of waterways.

On Micalo Island a small number of groups will be working to improve the poor tidal flow on the Island by renewing and installing larger sized pipes.

"This will restore tidal flows and fish passage to 50 hectares of significant fish habitat, 5km of waterway and an extensive area of saltmarsh habitat benefiting both fish and fishers," said Mr Dunn.

Mr Dunn said the projects all involve matching funding from community groups, individuals, councils and other agencies. Details of the allocations under the Clarence Habitat Grant Program are as follows:

Applicant

Grant

Proposal

Maclean Shire Council, Clarence Landcare & Shark Creek Landcare

$10,000

Phase two of an existing conservation project to improve the quality of water, fish habitat and rehabilitate 5 hectares of river, wetland and mangrove at two sites in the Lower Clarence Catchment.

Yaegl Local Aboriginal Land Council

$10,000

Reclamation of nursery area for fish, removal of noxious weeds, planting of native trees and mangroves over 26 hectares on Yaeql Island.

Wetland Care Australia

$10,000

Regeneration work over a 2 km area in and around Cowan's Ponds/ Creek that will maintain water quality and fish habitat as well as reducing algal and exotic weed blooms.

Bio Management Ltd

$10,000

Stage one of a long-term project to protect and enhance wetland values in the Theo Tuck Reserve situated on Goodwood Island near Maclean. Measures will be taken to restrict vehicular access and encourage regeneration of mangrove and saltmarsh communities over a 16 hectare area.

Geoff Flett &

Maree Kelly

$ 8,825

The installation of an access pipe under the road on West Micalo Island will restore fish passage, increase fish habitat, tidal flow and circulation to a 50 hectare area of significant fish habitat.

Fred Welsh

$10,000

Renewing existing pipework to connect the drainage network on Micalo Island to the Clarence river plus other rehabilitation measures will improve fish habitat, tidal flows and open up 5kms of fish passage.

Rob Schafer & Allan Byrne

$10,000

Stage two of a rehabilitation project to increase tidal flow, fish habitat and fish passage as well as aiding mangrove and saltmarsh rehabilitation over a 25-30 acres. Will benefit fish and fishers in the Clarence catchment area.

Media inquiries: Nick Bleszynski (02) 8437 4915 or Kristina Resanceff on 0419 185 375.