Lake Macquarie Next to get Pimp My Jetty makeover in innovative program
Nestled in a beautiful region of NSW lies Lake Macquarie, the largest coastal saltwater lake in the country, in fact, the Southern Hemisphere.
Renowned for its breathtaking beauty and abundant recreational opportunities, Lake Macquarie attracts boating enthusiasts, anglers, and nature lovers alike. With its diverse habitats, the lake is a precious gem for recreational fishing.
Recognising the potential for habitat restoration, the OzFish Lake Macquarie Chapter launched an exciting project called ‘Pimp My Jetty,’ which aims to enhance habitat growth on private jetties around the lake.
Jetties and pontoons dot the picturesque shorelines of Lake Macquarie, providing convenient access to the pristine waters.
The OzFish Lake Macquarie Chapter has identified these structures as valuable opportunities for habitat restoration.
Through the ‘Pimp My Jetty’ program, recreational fisher volunteers and the local community will collaborate to design, build and monitor low-cost hardwood and rope fish habitat units that can be suspended beneath existing floating pontoons and jetties.
The vision behind this initiative is to create habitats that encourage the growth of seaweed, shellfish, and sponge species. These underwater ecosystems play a vital role in providing shelter and food for fish while also contributing to improved water quality in Lake Macquarie.
By installing these habitat units, we can enhance the ecological balance of the lake, creating a thriving environment for aquatic species and promoting a sustainable ecosystem.
The OzFish Lake Macquarie Chapter plans to engage its dedicated members and supporters in this project. The Chapter officially announced the project at their recent Fish Talks, which saw over 250 people gather at Swansea RSL.
Together, they will collaborate to design and construct a variety of fish habitat units tailored to the specific infrastructure and environmental conditions of the private jetties and pontoons.
These habitat units will be crafted from natural fibre rope, untreated hardwood timber, and stainless-steel fittings, ensuring no further pollution or contaminants are introduced into the ecosystem.
“The whole idea of this project is to improve the habitat value of jetties and pontoons that already exist all across the lake,” said OzFish Senior Project Officer Lucas Kas.
“By installing structures that provide shelter for fish and become encrusted with all types of sea life that fish can feed on, we are providing more prime habitat that all kinds of fish will be able to take advantage of.”
Volunteers will play a crucial role in assembling, installing and monitoring the fish habitat units.
Multiple working bees will be organised to construct and stockpile various designs, providing opportunities for volunteers to actively contribute to this noble cause.
“This project will not be possible without recreational fishers,” Kas added.
“Our volunteers are taking the lead in this project, and will be involved in every aspect, including offering their pontoons and jetties up, building these structures, monitoring them, and hopefully reaping the rewards by fishing these areas down the track.
“Because of the scalability of this project, it has the potential to really make a difference – There are well over a thousand jetties across the lake, these structures are cheap to make, and we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers offering their labour without charge, which will make this a super feasible project.”
Once written permission is obtained from pontoon and jetty owners, along with regulatory authority approval, selected structures will be suspended underneath the pontoons and jetties, creating a welcoming habitat for aquatic life.
To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of these habitat units, remote underwater video (RUV) monitoring will be conducted.
This monitoring process will help identify the fish species using the habitat units and provide valuable insights into their behaviour and composition.
By collecting this data, the OzFish Lake Macquarie Chapter can assess the success of the project and make informed decisions regarding future habitat enhancement initiatives.
The ‘Pimp My Jetty’ program in Lake Macquarie exemplifies the power of community-driven conservation efforts.
By harnessing the passion and expertise of recreational fisher volunteers and engaging the local community, we can make a tangible difference in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Lake Macquarie.
This program not only benefits the aquatic ecosystem but also provides a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with nature and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our beloved lake.
If you are interested in joining the ‘Pimp My Jetty’ program as a volunteer or would like to learn more about this exciting initiative, we encourage you to get in touch with the OzFish Lake Macquarie Chapter.
Together, let us work towards a future where private jetties and pontoons become thriving habitats, supporting the growth and preservation of Lake Macquarie’s precious marine life.