Frequently Asked Questions:

• What exactly are snags?

  Snags are wood debris, including trees and branches, that are found in rivers and creeks. The debris falls into the river as a natural part of the tree’s life cycle or from environmental impacts such as winds and flooding. Snags are most effective when they are of different shapes and sizes as they then meet habitat requirements for different species. 

  Instream woody habitats contribute to catchment health, biodiversity and support self-sustaining fish populations. 

  

• Why are snags so important to Aussie fish? 

  Snags are important for birds, amphibians and native fish that use them as a place to live. Benefits for fish include shelter and protection, a place to breed, a place to rest, ambush sites and feeding grounds for fish who eat algae and macro-invertebrates. These structures also positively impact the river system by creating variability in-depth and flow.  

  Less habitat means less fish and fewer fishing opportunities.  
• What's happened to snags?

  In the past, snags were removed from rivers as it was thought that they had a negative impact on the waterway, resulting in the decline of native fish, with the native fish population now at an all-time low. Some of the misconceptions were that snags reduced the capacity of rivers during flooding, increased erosion, hindered watercraft navigation, and reduced the efficiency of water delivery. These theories were later proven incorrect and now it is important to reverse the loss of this vital habitat by restoring the woody structures. Another problem impacting snags is that native riparian vegetation has been removed from riverbanks. This means that there are fewer natural sources of wood debris to replenish fish habitat. 

  

• How do we restore them?

  Most people would think ‘too easy, let’s just throw some branches into the river’, unfortunately, it is not that straightforward. Resnagging requires science and engineering to ensure that the snags are placed in a way that has maximum ecological benefit. It is also important to consider the type, size and shape of the snags that are used. Placing these heavy structures is no mean feat, often requiring cables and heavy machinery to get them in the right position. 

  Resnagging and Fish Hotels benefit fishos as they encourage fish to stay in the area, helping them to grow and thrive. 

  

• What are fish hotels?

  Fish hotels is another initiative that is helping the resnagging efforts. They are structures made from a cement base and piled with wooden sleepers. Several of them put together creates an artificial reef and attracts an array of fish. Again, they provide feeding grounds and protection for smaller fish. They are called fish hotels as the fish only stay for short periods of time before growing stronger and moving downstream.