$30,000 grants for fish habitats still open

The Habitat Action Grants program is funded by NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts, with the intention of restoring and/or rehabilitating fishing habitats. Applications for the program, which is available through Industry and Investment (I&I) NSW, close on 16 October 2009.

I&I NSW conservation manager, Charlotte Jenkins, said that poor fish habitat could be the culprit if your favourite fishing spot isn’t as productive as it used to be.

“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,” said Jenkins.

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

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

Previous grants have funded projects to remove invasive vegetation and re-establish native vegetation on riverbanks; remove barriers to fish movement; re-snag waterways; restore natural tides to former estuarine wetlands; open floodgates and fence riverbanks to control the access of live stock; and much more.

“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 and make more fish... naturally,” said Jenkins.

Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/habitat-action-grants-funding-up-to-$30,000
for application forms, project ideas, requirements checklists and contacts for technical advice. You can also contact an I&I NSW conservation officer by calling (02) 66261107 or (02) 4616 3926.