Funding to help boost fish numbers

More than half a million dollars worth of grants are now available for individuals or groups committed to rehabilitating fish habitat across NSW, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Conservation Manager, David Cordina, said today.

“Applications are now open for grants of up to $40,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grant program,”
Mr Cordina said.

“These grants are open to fishing clubs, Landcare, Rivercare and other community groups, individuals and local councils wanting to improve fish habitat in their local area.

“If your local creek, river or estuary isn’t as productive as it used to be, the cause could be poor fish habitat.

“These important grants are dedicated to looking after fish habitat and rehabilitating habitat that has been degraded.

“Good habitat is vital for our native fish as it allows them to find food, take shelter, hide from predators, grow and, most importantly, to breed.”

Mr Cordina said funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust are used for the Habitat Action Grant Program, which is administered by the DPI.

“Previous projects include removing barriers to fish movement, re-snagging waterways, bank stabilisation works, removing invasive weeds to re-establish native vegetation on our riverbanks, opening floodgates and fencing riverbanks to control the access of livestock,” he said.

“These community projects have provided fantastic results for our native fish and are great examples of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support recreational fishing and boosting fish numbers, naturally.”

Applications for Habitat Action Grants close on Friday 28 September 2012 at 5pm.

For more information about the program, examples of past Habitat Action Grant projects and application forms visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag or contact a DPI Conservation Manager on (02) 6881 1277 or (02) 4916 3817.

Email: