EARLIER this month we brought you the news that Sofala Branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) had been awarded a Habitat Action Grant by the Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) to enhance and rehabilitate degraded native fish habitat along the Macquarie River, through a project entitled “Recovery of the Mac”.
As a follow up we can now bring you photos of the commencement of that work (see the gallery above). The weirs in Bathurst have been opened up to allow longitudinal movement of native fish, supervised by DPI’s Rod Price and Mick Callan. The existing rocks were replaced in different positions to enhance fish habitat and increase fish passage, while acting as a scouring device during high flows to increase pool depth. The work will complement past and future native fish restocking in Bathurst by local fishing groups, CAS, the Dudley Hotel Fishing Club, as well as recent re-stockings of the endangered trout cod in the Macquarie River.
Further stages of the grant will include planting the banks with native trees to provide shade and food for native species, and installation of more large rock clusters to provide fish habitat. A tree planting day is scheduled for December 2.
To follow the progress or to find out how to participate, follow Sofala Branch Cas Fishing on Facebook
