Fish habitat action growing on the Manning River

OzFish Unlimited has partnered with Manning Landcare and private landowners on the Manning River to improve native fish habitat by planting trees on the riverbank.

The project site is about 13 kilometres upstream from Taree near where Burrell Creek meets the Manning. Weed removal and planting of 400 native trees along the riverbank has occurred and is expected to help restore the fish habitat.

The next stage of the project will increase the coverage of native vegetation, with more weeds removed further enhancing the natural biodiversity of the site. Invasive weeds will often outcompete native plants along Australia’s waterways preventing or slowing the natural biodiversity recovery potential along rivers and creeks.

Cassie Price, Director of Habitat Programs with OzFish Unlimited said local partnerships like this one are vital in recovering damaged fish habitat.

“We are delighted to partner with Manning Landcare to support property owners improve native fish habitat,” she said.

“The positive contribution of the property owners at this site underlined their great concern and care for the river. Without them and their support the project would have not been possible.”

Dr Adrian Zammit, Landcare NSW CEO said the partnership with OzFish Unlimited is helping deliver great results on the ground.

“Improving native habitats and the health and sustainability of our waterways through tree plantings and enhancing natural biodiversity is important not only for our fish and other wildlife but also for our towns and communities that rely on them.”

OzFish volunteers will join landowners to plant more native trees across the site once COVID-19 restrictions ease. This will help to protect the bank from erosion, filter runoff, increase invertebrate numbers that provide food for fish, and regulate water temperature fluctuations by shading the water.

OzFish Unlimited CEO Craig Copeland said its members are very interested in projects to improve recreational fishing habitat and projects like this can receive further support from OzFish major partner BCF – Boating Camping Fishing.

“Our fishers are keen to volunteer their time to improve fishing in their local Manning River,” Mr Copeland said.

“We’d like to thank Manning Landcare for connecting us with locals who provided us that opportunity.

“There is always more to be done and we’re calling on local fishers to get involved in the newly established Manning River OzFish Chapter. This will support your local fish and fishing for future generations.”

The project was made possible by the OzFish Landcare NSW partnership through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. OzFish is Australia’s only fishing conservation charity, with support from their major partner BCF – Boating, Camping Fishing.