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Tamworth Chapter

Based around the Tamworth area the OzFish Northwest NSW Chapter are keen to restore native fish habitat in their local rivers.

The traditional owners of the Tamworth area are the Kamilaroi and Gomeroi peoples of the Kamilaroi Nation.

The Chapter have strong ties with the community and often partner with local Landcare groups, fishing clubs and the council. They also collaborate with the Tamworth Correctional Centre.

Historical desnagging and removal of vegetation from riverbanks has reduced fish habitat and contributed to a decline in fish stocks. The Chapter have undertaken revegetation works, litter clean-ups and community fishing days to not only enhance fish habitat but also to raise awareness and increase community engagement in fish habitat restoration. 

The regions is home to many native fish populations including the iconic Murray cod and elusive eel-tailed catfish.

The Peel River has known populations of eel-tailed catfish (threatened), silver perch (threatened),  Murray cod (threatened), as well as popular recreational angling species of golden perch.

Other well loved fishing spot nearby include Chaffey Dam, Namoi River, Lake Keepit and Split Rock Dam on the Manilla River.

Invasive species, particularly carp, remain a key concern of fishers in the region.

The Northwest NSW Chapter are working hard to restore fish habitat to ensure the future of fishing in the region.

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Heal the Peel

The Heal the Peel project aims to rehabilitate a degraded stretch of the Peel River and increase community stewardship of the environment.

The local community have banded together to remove rubbish from instream and adjacent riparian areas at Jewry St Weir Peel River Tamworth. To prevent future rubbish accumulation in the river, the Chapter are also working to install ‘trash traps’.

The project has also seen willow control take place along a five-kilometre stretch of the river in addition to replanting 1,000 native trees and shrubs, the installation of an aerator and upgraded community recreational facilities.

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Clean Up Australia Day

The Chapter hosts a Clean Up Australia Day event every year on the first weekend in March. If you’d like to lend a helping hand this Clean Up Australia Day, the Chapter would love to hear from you.

In 2018, OzFish members, the West Tamworth League Fishos, The Pub Angling and Tamworth Landcare all joined forces on the banks of the Peel River. Eighty six volunteers took only a few hours to collect eight shopping trolleys, a blow up swimming pool, car tyres, numerous bags of recycling and general rubbish from in and around the river. Participants also took part in a new tree planting on the river bank as part of their ongoing Heal the Peel project.

Gone Fishing Day

The Chapter also host annual Gone Fishing Day events which are a great way to engage with and give back to the local community.

In 2017, more than 340 people registered and took part in the festivities at Lake Keepit. Activities included yabbie fishing, yabbie races, casting competition, bbq, music, jumping castle and much more!

Shimano combos were given as prizes along with lures, hats and drink bottles. The Chapter is also grateful to Landcare, Wires, Narrabri Fish Farm, the Rural Fire Service and Lake Keepit Family Fishing Club for contributing to the event.

LATEST NEWS

Tamworth Fish Talks Makes A Splash In Raising Awareness On River Improvements

The Tamworth Fish Talks was a rousing success for the region with local community members hearing from a range of experts about how to deal with issues in their area, not only on how to catch fish but ensuring they have the habitat to thrive. The project was funded by Landcare Australia through the Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program, the Australian Government through the CRC Program and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing and supported by NSW government, NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

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Peel River Set To Begin Healing

A section of the Peel River near the Tamworth CBD has a new lease of life thanks to volunteers from the OzFish Northwest NSW Chapter and Tamworth Regional Landcare who have worked for months removing willows and planting native species along the riverbank. The project – part of the larger Heal the Peel restoration program – has taken more than 18 months to complete with the groups working on an area with a high number of invasive trees, isolated patches of remnant native vegetation and limited access for recreational anglers to fish.

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Trash Racks To Help Clean Up The Peel River

Tamworth will soon see less rubbish in the Peel thanks to a project currently underway by recreational fishing conservation group OzFish and Tamworth Regional Landcare. In a collaborative effort the project will install and manage the Gross Pollutant Traps at key drainage outlets throughout the regional town. Gross Pollutant Traps, commonly referred to as Trash Racks assists with reducing litter, debris and sediments from entering local waterways. The huge nets will collect everything from bottles and cans to vegetation like leaves that washes through the storm water system directly into the Peel River.

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Continue the conversation with the Northwest NSW Chapter by following them Facebook or tagging them @OzFishNorthwestNSW 

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