OzFish is dedicated to helping local recreational fishers take control of the health of their rivers, lakes and estuaries. They partner with members and the broader community to invest time and money into the protection and restoration of our waterways.
Every new member will receive an OzFish cap, sticker, facemasks and a $10 BCF Gift Card courtesy of our major partner.
Formerly operating as the Tenterfield Chapter, this is one of our longest-running chapters. The members of this chapter has made it a mission to educate recreational fishers for over five (5) years.
This chapter has given freshwater fishers the opportunity to see the best-of-the-best of fish habitat but also make known the huge challenges that freshwater fish face in these parts. Whether it’s droughts, bush fires, coldwater pollution or erosion, the members work with locals to make sure the fish are not forgotten or overlooked.
Local fish habitat has been extensively modified, lost or destroyed through human-induced change. These impacts have been exacerbated by the effects of drought, fire and floods, and now there is an enormous amount of pressure on native fish populations.
Tenterfield Creek, which is one of the hotspots for Murray Cod, is in dire need of rehabilitation to protect these beautiful natives from disappearing and needless suffering.
Even though these small fish aren’t exactly a target species for anglers, they are endangered and their loss would be felt by the community.
Tenterfield Creek was identified by local fishers as their target waterway for restoration because of its known surviving population of endangered small-bodied fish.
Like many regions across Australia, the Northern Tablelands has been severely scarred by the Black Summer Bushfire events which devasted the people’s homes and the natural environment. Fish especially were suffering before this event, copping the ‘triple whammy’ of flood, drought and fire.
During the fires, the water reached lethal temperatures levels instantly killing many fish. Those that survived the bushfire, were forced to deal with the runoff of ash, which causes sudden drops in dissolved oxygen which suffocates fish or causes a huge amount of stress. These impacts continue to persist until sufficient regrowth of trees, shrubs and ground cover prevents ash and sediment from entering the water.
At the end of 2019, bushfires ravaged the Tenterfield area and a following rain event saw chemical, ash and sediment impact the water quality of Tenterfield Creek damaging the habitat of the southern purple spotted gudgeon.
OzFish Unlimited and Landcare Australia through the Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program, were able to return this precious habitat and water quality issue back to a healthy functioning ecosystem.
Tenterfield Creek is one of the key creeks that the threatened fish, the purple spotted gudgeon calls home. Local landowners, Steve and Rosie Scott are very enthusiastic when it comes to restoring the creek back to healthy functioning system.
Sheepyard Creek is a tributary of the Timbarra / Rocky River in the Clarence catchment near Tenterfield NSW and is home to the eastern freshwater cod Maccullochella Ikei and the large Suttons crayfish Euastacus suttoni.
This site was absolutely devastated in the Long Gully bushfires, not only burning out precious habitat but also opening the steep gullies that feed the Timbarra River to erosion and heavy sediment loads threatening the water quality for the all the species of this area.
Year after year, the Chapter always has a fantastic turnout for Gone Fishing Day. The locals show up in droves to learn how to catch a fish and catch it sustainably and have a great time out with the family.
The fishing itself takes place on Tenterfield Dam which is open to the public especially for the day. All kids attending get free gifts like rods and reel combos, lures and more goodies from DPI.
Every year, the Chapter bands together with other community groups for Clean Up Australia Day, the target site – Tenterfield Creek.
Next year the chapter hopes to have multiple cleanups happening on the day, some locations are up to three hours away but it will give more recreational fishers in the region more opportunities to get involved, and of course more rubbish to be collected.
Clean Up Australia Day is 7th March 2022 and we will share the event with members closer to the date.
Our Northern Tablelands Chapter has recently had its 5th anniversary, so we sat down with Harry Thomas, project officer throughout this time, so see what worked, what didn’t work, and what it means to be a part of OzFish.
Tenterfield Creek has been in dire need of rehabilitation for some time. Vital fish habitat has been modified, lost or destroyed through human-induced change. This along with drought, fire and floods has put enormous pressure on native fish populations.
OzFish’s Tenterfield Chapter is looking out for the endangered Southern purple-spotted gudgeon. Even though these small fish aren't a recreationally caught species, OzFishers are protecting a local population.
Local community groups have banded together to restore Tenterfield Creek with the project set to commence over the next few months.
OzFish members enjoy connecting with fellow anglers and the OzFish community across Australia. Many also give their time volunteering hours every year to local projects that protect, restore and revitalise your favourite fishing spots. Acting for local conservation can take on many forms. Sometimes it’s cleaning recycling oyster shells to restore shellfish reefs and sometimes it’s looking at innovative ways to help our habitat regenerate.