Water quality at Lake Albert set for much-needed boost as local anglers take action
A new stock of native grasses and shrubs are set to hit the banks of Lake Albert as volunteers from the OzFish Wagga Chapter and Murrumbidgee Landcare come together for a community planting day on Saturday 19 June.
The restoration will give the native fish a boost, improving water quality in Lake Albert.
Volunteers will be meeting at Lake Street boat ramp at 9:00am at Lake Albert and planting 600 native vegetation where Crooked Creek meets the lake.
Braeden Lampard, OzFish Project Manager for the Murray-Darling Basin says by planting native grasses and shrubs in the catchment, we are ensuring that our native fish have a better chance to flourish and thrive.
“Native vegetation plays an important role in maintaining water quality as it helps filter sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from run-off before they enter our waterways. The plantings will also reduce algal blooms which can be detrimental for fish and other aquatic species,” said Braeden.
Projects like these are just one of the many ways OzFish is counteracting years of degradation in Australian waterways. Local OzFish chapters partner with fishing bodies and the broader community to invest time and money into protecting and restoring vital fish habitat.
Grant Higginson, OzFish Wagga President, says that the OzFish Chapter is hoping to undertake a whole range of fish habitat restoration projects in the region including more riparian planting, resnagging waterways, and litter clean-up days.
“These projects are aimed at improving water quality and enhancing fish habitat which will lead to better fishing,” says Grant.
The OzFish Wagga Chapter is always looking for new and passionate anglers to help improve fish habitat in the local area.
“Getting involved in an OzFish chapter gives local anglers specialist advice from our fish ecologists and habitat experts and access to funding opportunities to help deliver the restoration work,” says Grant.
The project has received funding from the Australian Government’s Community Environment Program, the OzFish-Landcare NSW partnership with support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.