Habitat heroes contribute to conservation of Frenchmans Creek and Rufus River
OzFish volunteers will soon be habitat heroes of a popular fishing spot at Frenchmans Creek and Rufus River having partnered with Fort Courage Angling Club to collect valuable data as citizen scientists which will be used to guide future fish habitat restoration projects in the region.
The recreational fishers will use fish finder sonars to map all the woody structure located beneath the water surface in the entire Frenchman’s Creek and Rufus River. The mapping will occur in boats once a week until the end of April, where their goal of over 40km will be mapped.
Instream habitat mapping is often the first step in fish habitat restoration. The data will allow scientists and advisors to make informed decisions about future restoration projects and identify sensitive habitat areas that may need protection or enhancement.
Braeden Lampard, OzFish Project Manager for Murray Darling Basin believes the mapping is an important first step for our native fish.
“Woody habitat, or snags as they’re commonly known, play an important role in Australian waterways providing fish and other aquatic species with places to feed, seek shade, lay their eggs, feed and even hide from predators,” said Braeden.
“It is common knowledge to many recreational fishers that millions of snags were removed since European settlement and we are doing our bit to restore these homes for our beloved native fish like golden perch common to the stretch of waterway.
“Recreational anglers and land managers broadly know the types of habitat that can be found in various areas, but such information is typically patchy and can vary dramatically.
“Anglers have the opportunity to give back to their waterways while further developing their own knowledge and understanding of local habitats,” said Braeden.
Taylar Pay, recently appointed OzFish Sunraysia Chapter President agreed.
“OzFish Sunraysia volunteers have focused on improving their environmental projects and this is just one way we are working towards that goal.
“It gives our volunteers a chance to enjoy the outdoors once COVID-19 restrictions ease, help our local waterways and even use a lure or two from BCF to catch some Golden Perch while doing so.
The OzFish Sunraysia Chapter is one of the most active in the country having already been hard at work restoring fish habitat in the region with mapping and resnagging work being carried out on the Lower Darling and the Murray.
The project is supported by Wentworth Shire Council and OzFish’s major partner BCF – Boating Camping Fishing.