Time Is Running Out To Apply For Funds To Fix Your

[Ken A]

Up to $30,000 is available now for individuals and groups interested in rehabilitating fish habitat.

NSW Recreational Fishing Trust grants, made available through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) close on 28th October 2005.

DPI Senior Conservation Manager, Lesley Diver, says if your favourite fishing spot isn’t as productive as it used to be, the cause could be poor fish habitat.

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

“Because of this it’s essential that we not only look after fish habitat but also rehabilitate degraded fish habitat.”

The grants are available to Fishing clubs, Landcare and Rivercare groups, other community groups, individuals and local councils interested in rehabilitating fish habitat.

Previous grants have funded projects to remove exotic vegetation, re-establish native vegetation on our riverbanks, remove barriers to fish movement, resnag waterways, restore natural tides to former estuarine wetlands, open floodgates and fence riverbanks to manage stock.

“These community projects have provided fantastic results for our Australian fish and are great examples of the recreational fishing licence helping to support recreational fishing,” said Ms Diver.

An application form, project ideas, requirements checklist and contacts for technical advice can be found at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/recreational. Or contact NSW DPI fisheries Conservation Officers Milly Hobson on (02) 6765 4591 or Megan Gallagher on (02) 6626 1333.