New Australian government support will help recreational fishers restore Great Barrier Reef
New government support for the Great Barrier Reef will enable recreational fishers to help restore the iconic landmark’s ecosystem, says OzFish, Australia’s only fish habitat charity.
Funding is provided through the Great Barrier Reef Stewardship Program funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust. It was announced by The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, and Senator Nita Green, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef on January 22.
OzFish will now expand its community-driven oyster and mangrove restoration projects, focusing on areas where habitat has been impacted by development and sediment. This will include Townsville, Innisfail, Cairns, Mackay and Gladstone, with a real boost to OzFish’s Shellfish Revolution program.
The Shellfish Revolution program, which engages hundreds of recreational fishers in the recycling of oyster shells and the restoration of shellfish reefs, has made a positive environmental impact in Moreton Bay, the Swan River in Western Australia and sites in New South Wales and Victoria.
OzFish CEO Cassie Price highlighted the importance of collaboration with the government in tackling environmental challenges.
“This grant demonstrates the power of partnerships between the government, community organisations, and interest groups like recreational fishers. Together, we can achieve meaningful change, restoring habitats that are vital to thriving fisheries and the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.”
“We’re grateful for the trust and support shown by the government, and we’re excited to scale up these projects with our dedicated members and project partners.”
Phil Laycock, OzFish Project Manager for Cairns said, “This grant is a game-changer for oyster and mangrove restoration along the Great Barrier Reef Coast. It allows us to upscale our work in restoring habitats that have been lost over time, providing essential benefits for fisheries and the environment.”
A key component of the initiative is OzFish’s partnership with traditional owner ranger groups.
Mr Laycock said, “We’re especially excited to work alongside traditional owner ranger groups. Their traditional knowledge of shellfish and mangrove ecosystems will play a vital role in ensuring the success of these projects, creating long-lasting benefits for coastal communities and the Great Barrier Reef.”
Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek said, “We want to make sure the beauty and majesty of the Reef can be enjoyed by our kids and grandkids.”
“We know that the best way to protect our precious Reef is to work together with communities, experts and governments.
“This investment will mean local communities can use their knowledge and skills to better protect key areas and species that call it home.”
Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green congratulated OzFish on their project and said “Local Reef communities play an important role in protecting and restoring the Great Barrier Reef.
“I am proud to support community collaboration to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the thousands of jobs across regional Queensland that depend on it.”
Media
To learn more or to arrange an interview with OzFish CEO Cassie Price or OzFish experts across Australia, please email [email protected] or call +61 490 783 417.
About OzFish
OzFish is a not-for-profit member organisation that partners with fishers and the broader community to invest time and money into the protection and restoration of waterways, counteracting decades of degradation with projects in habitat restoration, re-snagging, riverbank planting, clean-ups, fishways, shellfish reefs and educational and community capacity building programs – www.ozfish.org.au. Learn more or become a member.