Richmond River’s Unique Oyster Evolution Set to Improve Fish Habitats
On Sunday 14th November, OzFish Unlimited’s Richmond River Chapter, celebrated Gone Fishing Day a little differently by highlighting the mental health benefits fishing can offer to everyone. They also unveiled a very special type of oyster in the process.
Gone Fishing Day is an initiative of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) which is the peak national body and key voice for Australia’s recreational fishing community.
Now in its 6th year, this day is about celebrating all that we love about fishing and what this pastime provides to Australia’s communities. This year’s Gone Fishing Day initially coincided also with ‘World Mental Health Day’ on the 10th of October.
OzFish Unlimited’s Richmond River Chapter and the Ballina Fishermen’s Co-operative Commercial Fishers teamed up to embrace the destressing powers of fishing and how it contributes to a person’s mental well-being.
COLLABORATIVE WINS
The event brought together members of commercial, recreational and aquaculture groups to stage ‘A Taste of The Richmond’. The commercial fishers donated seafood from the Richmond River while OzFish and local oyster growers were offered a taste of the new Richmond River Rock Oyster.
OzFish Director of Habitat Programs, Cassie Price, and other recreational fisher crews were on hand to help young fishers how to use the fishing gear at the Ballina Trawler Harbour. The plans to re-establish lost natural oyster reef on the lower Richmond OzFish Richmond were also unveiled.
Using the models and approval process from the initial Port Stephens Shellfish Restoration project, chapter President John Larsson was well versed in the steps needed to create success.
“Restoring lost wild oyster reef will add significant habitat to several key finfish species in the estuarine area of the lower Richmond,” explained Larsson.
“This project was not possible just six years ago when the Chapter first started in 2015, but thanks to mother nature, we now have prolific numbers of this new disease-resistant rock oyster.”
A NEW FRONTIER IN FISH HABITAT RESTORATION
OzFish have kept their finger on the pulse of these unique oyster’s evolutionary adaptations.
“Judging by community numbers that showed up, it was evident a lot of our community are behind these projects, especially oysters that were once a major contributor to our local business economy, not to mention their positive influence on river health”, said John.
“We can see this new Rock Oyster making its way into the Australian rock oyster industry. This is not an engineered new species. It has evolved naturally to compete with the annual production of poor water quality on the Richmond following most rain events”.
The need to augment shellfish habitat within the Richmond River is critical and is another way OzFish and community partners are working towards creating a healthy, vibrant, and more productive fishery.
FRESH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
OzFish Project Officer, Demara Gates said the day brought together many local commercial and recreational fishers and was a chance to talk about the attributes of fishing and its contribution to mental health stability.
“A coffee and a piece of fish with a couple of fresh oysters was the perfect setting. The whole community came together and wanted to know all about our special oysters. It was clear everyone wanted to see oysters back in our river so oyster farming can once again resume full time”, said Demara.
Ballina Fishermen’s Co-Op Operations officer, Alister Robertson, provided the space for OzFish to run the day at the Co-Op with the help of local commercial fishers.
“One of the most important things about shellfish is that they are nature’s water filters. It was great to see the Ballina community getting behind the day and supporting the idea of potentially putting the oysters back in the Richmond River”, said Alister.
Community-minded initiatives like these show that it has never been a better time to go fishing. So, get out of the house, switch off the laptop and put a chair on the riverbank with a fishing rod in your hand to enjoy all the incredible benefits you get from a day on the water.
SPECIAL THANKS
This project is supported and funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts and NSW DPI, and Community Resilience Grants – Stay A Float Program.
If you would like to know more about the project or get involved become a member of OzFish by clicking the link below of contacting 1800 431 308.