Home / Programs / Trees for Fish / Emigrant Creek, NSW / Emigrant Creek Restoration 2022

7 Landholders

partnering the project

2 kms

of riparian zone restored

25 reef balls

installed for fish habitat

Restoring the riparian zone on Emigrant Creek

Located on private land along Emigrant Creek, OzFish is continuing the collective effort to restore the riparian zone, improve fish habitat and prevent bank erosion and turbid water, in this vital stretch of riverbank.

Emigrant Creek is a popular fishing location that is abundant in both estuarine and freshwater species. This location is important for the migration of Australian bass and their spawning success.

 

Planting trees for more fish

 

Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum

For some people, it is hard to associate planting trees with a healthy and abundant fish population.

Banks located on either side of rivers and creek are a vital part of the life and health of local fish populations. Fish rely on riparian vegetation for bank stabilisation, run-off water filtration, good water quality, water temperature regulation, shelter habitat provision, and as a key food source.

Fish have seen fast growth and re-establishment of native riparian plants in this area and we are confident that in under 2 years the buffer will be improving water quality and restoring the health of the estuarine habitats for the benefits for local fishers to enjoy.

Lack of habitat in the creek favours carp. Please click on the link below to report your sightings. Information on where carp are will help us better manage this issue.

REPORT CARP SIGHTINGS

Tintenbar Landholders unite to restore fish habitat

Seven landholders in partnership with fisher volunteers from the OzFish Richmond River Chapter, aim to restore an approximate 2km stretch of Emigrant creek frontage and a further 400m of a tributary running into the creek. Fishers and landowners are keen to work together to see the creek restored and promote the rehabilitation of the riverbank and fish populations to create a healthy ecosystem.

This project builds on the recent work by State and Local Governments to restore impacted areas further downstream and will provide continuity of 7.5km quality riparian fish habitat for Emigrant Creek.

Snags bringing life back to the river

As fishers, we know that if you’re not getting snagged, you’re not catching fish!

As well as supporting fish, snags provide essential habitat for other threatened aquatic wildlife, including frogs, water rats, insects, and birds. That’s why OzFish is giving them a boost by installing new homes for species like bass to live and breed in.

Not only focusing on bankside restoration, but the project will also engage with local fishing groups to establish ‘reef balls’ and tree snagging to create instream habitat and will further support citizen science programs focusing on rehabilitation, water quality and vegetative establishment.

LATEST NEWS

DEC 9, 2020 | Local fishers band together to enhance fish habitat at Emigrant Creek

DEC 9, 2020 | Local fishers band together to enhance fish habitat at Emigrant Creek

A dedicated team of almost thirty OzFish volunteers and community members came together to restore a critical riparian zone at Emigrant Creek to help native fish. The volunteers planted 1550 native trees and shrubs along an 800m stretch of creek bank to enhance fish habitat which will aid recreational fishing in the Northern NSW region. Emigrant Creek is critical habitat for key recreational fishing species as well as native turtles and platypus. The plants are already providing shade, bank stability, overhang and insect fall for local populations of bass, bream, mullet, flathead and more. The final result will be a healthy, intact corridor of riparian vegetation over 2.5kms long providing significant

Find Out More

This project was made possible by the OzFish – Regional Land Partnerships Program – Emigrant Creek – Partners for fish habitat restoration with North Coast Local Land Services with funding support from the federal funded program Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program and BCF – Boating, Camping and Fishing.