Native fish populations and NSW rec fishos are benefitting from a $9 million initiative to bring back the fish in coastal waterways.
The three-year Bringing Back The Fish Project has resulted in changes to 86 river barriers, and provided fish access to an additional 1235 kms of waterway in coastal NSW, according to Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan.
“Habitat health was also improved at eight key aquatic sites covering nearly 2,000 hectares using innovative techniques including seagrass friendly boat moorings, riverbank stabilisation works, and improved floodgate management.
“This massive effort is helping make the State’s coastal rivers more fish friendly, boosting the population of many native fish species that rely on free passage within rivers and streams to access different habitat types,” said Whan.
The Bringing Back The Fish Project was managed by Industry & Investment NSW’s Conservation Action Unit, in collaboration with the five coastal Catchment Management Authorities, all tiers of government and NSW fishers.
Initial funding of $3 million was provided by the Federal Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and was administered by the Southern Rivers CMA. State Government funding was provided by the NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, with in-kind contributions from project partners such as local councils, water authorities and landholders totalling $4.2 million.
