General
Q: Who moderates this website?
The Fish Habitat Network is moderated by the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Australian National Sportfishing Association, EcoFishers and the Conservation Action Unit (a unit within the Fisheries and Compliance Branch of Industry and Investment NSW).
Q: Who funds the network?
All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW. These trusts are regulated by law and overseen by two committees made up of recreational fishers - one for saltwater and one for freshwater.
The Habitat Action program is funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. Part of the Habitat Action program is the Fishers for Fish Habitat project which recognises the involvement of recreational fishers in habitat improvement initiatives and aims to inspire other fishers to do what they can to protect and enhance the vital areas that our native fish need to survive and thrive. The Fishers for Fish Habitat Forums and the Fish Habitat Network are both components of the Fishers for Fish Habitat project.
Q: Who can I ask to speak about habitat at our next club meeting / tournament?
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Compliance division has fish habitat staff located at numerous locations throughout coastal and inland NSW. If resources allow they will be more than happy to present at your club event. You can find your nearest office here.
Q: Are there going to be ongoing Fishers for Fish Habitat Forum events?
More information on the F4FH program is available here.
Fish Habitat
Q: What is Fish habitat?
Put simply, fish habitat is the environment in which fish live and this includes physical, biological and chemical features.
A more detailed definition of fish habitat from the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994 states: ‘Any area that is occupied, or periodically or occasionally occupied, by fish or marine vegetation (or both), and includes any biotic (living) or abiotic (non living) component.’
As the latter definition is very broad and captures many artificial habitats, NSW DPI have adopted a policy definition of ‘Key Fish Habitat’ to assist managers in protecting the most important fish habitat.
Q: What are the impacts of habitat loss on native fish in NSW?
The main threat to the health, abundance and diversity of fish in NSW is the destruction of their habitat. Habitat loss, in conjunction with other factors, has severely depleted our native fish numbers. In the Murray Darling Basin, for example, fish communities are estimated to be 10 % of the pre-European settlement level and without intervention will be as low as 5 % within 40-50 years.
97 % of total river length in NSW has been modified in some way signifying that 50 to 80 % of the animal species have been lost[1]. We know from historical records and oral histories that even 30 years ago, fish were far more abundant and there was greater diversity throughout inland and coastal NSW.
Q: What do we know about changes to fish habitat?
The health of our rivers and creeks is influenced by our activities both in the waterway itself and on the surrounding land. In the past, waterways throughout NSW have undergone extensive change due to urban, industrial and agricultural development. Erosion, drainage of floodplains and wetlands, the construction of in-stream structures which restrict fish passage and the removal of riparian and aquatic vegetation have all degraded fish habitat. These changes have put significant pressure on native fish populations. Reports from our early explorer’s paint a very different picture to that we see today. Click here for more information on threats to fish habitats.
- George Evans – possibly the first European to catch a Murray cod – was so impressed with the amount of fish life in the Fish and Macquarie Rivers he remarked in his diary that ‘if we want a fish it is caught immediately; they seem to bite at any time’.
- From the Journal of Thomas Mitchell, 1835, Darling River at Bourke '… the water being beautifully transparent, the bottom was visible at great depths, showing large fishes in shoals, floating like birds in mid-air.'
Q: How can I tell if my creek/river is healthy?
Healthy waterways in different areas throughout the state will naturally look different to one another. There is not a one answer fits all but there are a few questions you can ask yourself. For further information and advice please contact your nearest Conservation Manager.
Some of the warning signs that a waterway is or could be becoming unhealthy include:
- Muddy or murky water (due to sediment in run-off, stock pugging, erosion of bank or bed or lack of water)
- Exceptionally crystal-clear water or milky blue-green water, particularly in coastal areas (due to high acid levels)
- Algal blooms (from too much nutrient entering the water)
- Weeds establishing on the banks or in the water
- Lack of vegetation along the banks
- Lack of snags in the water
- Artificial restrictions to water flow (weirs, crossings, floodgates, etc).
Q: Do certain fish species have specific habitat preferences?
Yes, different fish species do utilise different habitats. For example yellowfin bream utilise mangrove and seagrass habitats as small juveniles, shallow water over a sandy bottom as large juveniles and as adults they are associated with seagrass, deep and shallow water over sand and rocky reefs. More information on individual species is available here or on the feature fish of the month.
Your local Conservation Manager can provide advice and assistance.
Q: I’m interested in getting involved in habitat rehabilitation… who should I contact?
Help may be available from many places but in the first instance try contacting your local Conservation Manager or Fishcare Volunteer Coordinator. You may also wish to raise your habitat rehabilitation ideas with your local council or Catchment Management Authority.
Habitat rehabilitation funding
Q: When do the Habitat Action Grants open?
Habitat Action Grants are available each year. Applications are usually called for between August and October; but don’t wait till then to start thinking about your project – start planning now!
Q: Are there any other sources of funding available?
Information on funding options is available on the funds and resources page including information on Federal, State and Local government funding plus non-governmental funding opportunities.
[1] Norris R. H., Liston P., Davies N., Dyer F., Linke S., Prosser I. and Young B. (2001) Snapshot of the Murray-Darling Basin River Condition, Report to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
