Revenue raised from Victorian recreational fishing licences is providing valuable fish habitat and improving fishing opportunities in one of East Gippsland’s renowned riverine fisheries, said the Acting Executive Director Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst.
The Snowy River Estuary Fish Habitat Improvement Project has involved the placement of 138 logs around First and Second Islands and along the banks of the Snowy estuary, two kilometres north-west of Marlo.
Catchment Planner for the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Jasmine Butler, said the eight metre long logs, secured to piles driven into the river bed, will quickly become colonised by invertebrates and crustaceans providing an improved food source for both juvenile and adult fish.
The Snowy River and its estuaries support populations of black bream, luderick, Australian bass and estuary perch. Installation of the submerged logs will not only provide them with food but will also improve shelter which is essential for these and other key fish species.
“Over time, the Snowy River has experienced a gradual reduction of suitable fish habitat. This project has created new habitat in the Snowy River for native fish,” said Ms Butler.
The installation of logs has been partly funded using $37,349 through the Department of Primary Industries’ annual Recreational Fishing Grants Program. The remaining project funding has been provided by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and forms part of the Snowy River Rehabilitation Plan of Works.
Since its inception in 2001, the annual Recreational Fishing Grants Program has funded more than 240 projects throughout Victoria worth more than $8.5 million.
For more information visit www.dpi.vic.gov/fishing/feesatwork or ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
