The latest OzFish Unlimited re-snagging project in the Murray-Darling not only delivers a big win for the environment but will also be a major plus for recreational fishers.
Just like the Murray-Darling itself, OzFish joined two funding streams together to restore some much-needed habitat to the river with volunteers helping to install 20 large logs and 35 tonnes of rock to the Bottle Bend Reserve near the town of Red Cliffs on the Victorian side of the river.
OzFish, Australia’s only fishing charity, was able to complete the project in June thanks to the NSW DPI Fisheries’ Recreational Fishing Trust’s Habitat Action Grant Program and through funding from the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
By using a barge, they were able to minimise environmental damage during the project.
“If you do it from the bank, that can cause environmental impact to the soil as you’ve got large machinery moving around, carrying quite heavy structures, that can dig down into soil and there can be concerns with cultural heritage issues,” said Braeden Lampard, OzFish Senior Program Manager – Murray-Darling Basin.
“So, there was absolutely no environmental or cultural heritage impact to any of the land, which is a bonus.”
If you would like to know more about the project or get involved become a member of OzFish online at www.ozfish.org.au or contact 1800 431 308.
About us:
About OzFish
OzFish Unlimited is a national environmental conservation charity established to improve the health of our rivers, lakes and estuaries. It is a member-based organisation dedicated to make our fishing grounds healthy, vibrant and more productive. Their active work includes; habitat restoration such as resnagging, riverbank planting, clean-ups, fishways, shellfish reefs and educational and community capacity building programs.
