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Heal the Peel

OzFish Northwest Chapter in Tamworth is restoring native fish habitat in their local Peel river.

The Importance of the Peel River

Historically desnagging and removal of vegetation from the riverbanks have contributed to a decline in fish stocks. The Peel river has known populations of threatened species such as Eel Tailed Catfish, Silver Perch, Murray Cod, as well as popular recreational angling species of Golden Perch (yellow belly).

Recreational fishers have been working tirelessly over the past several years to return their beloved Peel to its former glory.

Together we’re making fishing better for everyone

Find out below what OzFish has done to heal the peel:

Stage 1 – 2017

OzFishers first came together to commence repairing decades of damage to the Peel River running through Tamworth.

The first sites were determined, copious weeds removed and replaced with riverbank natives. Native trees were selected for their local providence and their benefit to stabilising the bank, shading the water, harbouring insects (fish food) and as a potential for snag falls into the water in the future.

Stage 2 – 2018

Funding for Heal the Peel was boosted by OzFish major partner, BCF in 2018 to add a further 500 trees to the riverbank of the Peel River.

OzFishers also defined fishing access points to the river to prevent damage to the trees, installed informative signs and seating facilities.

Stage 3 – 2019

In 2019, the Recreational Fishing Trust’s Habitat Action Grants funded a further 1000 trees to be planted. Weeds were removed from highly infested stretches of the bank to make way for the natives.

Drought however hampered the progress, holding on until the rain in 2020 before planting could take place.

Stage 4 – 2020

With over 2000 trees now growing and being maintained by the Chapter, they turned their attention to another big issue for the Peel River – litter.

In 2020 they secured funding from the Federal Communities Environment Program to work with their local Council to install trash racks on some of the worst contributing drainage lines into the River.

What’s next?

The OzFish North West Chapter is looking to work more closely with their local indigenous groups, continue their weed removal and replacement with natives, clean up the litter, and let fishers know how to fish the river sustainably.

LATEST NEWS

Trash Racks to Help Clean Up the Peel River

Tamworth will soon see less rubbish in the Peel thanks to a project currently underway by recreational fishing conservation group OzFish and Tamworth Regional Landcare. In a collaborative effort the project will install and manage the Gross Pollutant Traps at key drainage outlets throughout the regional town.Gross Pollutant Traps, commonly referred to as Trash Racks assists with reducing litter, debris and sediments from entering local waterways. The huge nets will collect everything from bottles and cans to vegetation like leaves that washes through the storm water system directly into the Peel River. OzFish Tamworth Chapter President Anne Mitchie felt it was something the local Chapter could assist with.

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