Conservation
Northern Rivers Sportsfishing is actively involved in supporting OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s first not for profit fish habitat conservation group, driven by anglers. The local chapter, OzFish Tweed River Chapter, was formed by recreational fishers to help protect and restore fish habitat in the Tweed Valley. The group is working on a number of projects to help improve the fishery:
Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project
Sea level rise has meant that high tides are overtopping the weir on the Tweed River and threatening the towns potable water supply. To find a solution Tweed Shire Council (TSC) sought community feedback and formed a Project Reference Group. Chapter President Simon Fitzpatrick is a member of the group, representing the interests of local recreational fishers. “Our focus is to ensure that if the weir is upgraded, fish passage remains adequate.”
2018/19. As a member of the Project Reference Group (PRG), Simon attended meetings with council to warrant any future weir constructions incorporate a ‘fishway’ in the design. A well designed fish ladder will ensure fish such as bass, estuary perch and mullet have access to all the resources needed to complete their life cycles.
March 2020. The PRG submits its final recommendations (preferred options) for weir designs.
April 2020. Final Report published. This report to TSC serves to summarise the process and the resulting recommendations by the PRG. The next step is for TSC to consider the PRG’s advice and to decide on a preferred way forward.
If you wish to make a comment or suggestion with respect to how you think the weir upgrade could effect fish habitat, please contact us HERE or go the the Tweed Council website for more information https://www.yoursaytweed.com.au/BrayParkWeir
Col Wiley Park Riparian Rehabilitation
OzFish Tweed River Chapter partnered with Tweed Shire Council and BCF in planting 400 native trees around Byangum Bridge. Stage 1 included riparian planting below the bridge and the installation of a canoe launching facility. Stage 2 will focus on removing weeds and planting out above the bridge.
Dunbible/Tweed Rehabilitation Project
Late 2020 – The project will stabilise eroding river banks using techniques that increase habitat connectivity and improve fish habitat in the upper Tweed River Estuary. Eroding river banks will be re-profiled, fenced to exclude stock and stabilised with native riparian vegetation. Hardwood logs will be incorporated into the river bank restoration works to increase the resilience of banks to erosion and provide structurally complex large wooden debris habitat. The project aims to engage landowners, recreational fishers and the broader community to improve understanding of the river ecosystem, it’s condition and key threats, and demonstrate appropriate restoration techniques.
The chapter aims to demonstrate the positive impact this rehabilitation project will have on fish in the river. To this end, the Chapter has designed a survey to determine any significant difference in the abundance of fish before, as compared to after the project. Chapter members have been undertaking the survey by sampling with the BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video Camera). The survey design could also be used in the future by other chapters to demonstrate the effectiveness of their projects.
DOWNLOAD a copy of our BRUV Before & After Survey HERE. This document will be updated over time as the study develops.
Gone Fishing Days
The national annual Gone Fishing Day is a great way to engage local communities in a free family fun fishing day with a theme of teaching sustainable fishing techniques and appreciation for fish habitat. 21st October 2018 – Tweed River Chapter held a Gone Fishing Day event. A total of 25 community members attended and enjoyed activities including casting instruction, knot tying, fish ID & handling and of course fishing.
If you would like to get involved in improving fish habitat in the Tweed area, we would love to hear from you! Email ozfishtweedriver@gmail.com or phone 0409 760 380 or visit us on Facebook or our website.
