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Member for Drummoyne, Angela D’Amore was joined by Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan to review the success of the $9 million Bring Back the Fish initiative which improves fish access to additional waterways during migration.
Native fish populations, recreational and commercial fishers in Sydney are benefitting from a $9 million initiative managed by the NSW Government to bringback the fish in coastal waterways, Ms D’Amore from Industry & Investment NSW worked with Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the Sydney Catchment Management Authority to construct a partial width rock ramp fishway at a road culvert on Australia Avenue,”Ms D’Amore said.
“Before these works were carried out, the road culvert was acting to create a headloss or height difference in water level from upstream -downstream and forming a "waterfall".
“The fishway acted to create a series of small hydraulic"steps" which fish could navigate as they attempt to move upstream.
“The fishway acted to create a series of small hydraulic"steps" which fish could navigate as they attempt to move upstream,”Ms D’Amore said.
The three year Bringing Back the Fish Project has successfully fixed 86 barriers for migrating fish including poorly-designed weirs, roadcrossings, and floodgates which has improved native fish access to 1,235kilometres of additional waterway in coastal NSW, Minister Whan said. |
25th May 2010
Left to right: Steve Whan Mp, Minister for Primary Industries - Angela D'Amore Mp, State Member for Drummoyne - Richard Spata, Vice President of A.F.A of NSW inc.
“Habitat health was also improved at eight key aquatic sitescovering nearly 2,000 hectares using innovative techniques including seagrass friendly boat moorings, riverbank stabilisation works, and improved floodgate management.
“This massive effort is helping make the State’s coastal rivers more fish friendly, boosting the population of many native fish species that rely on free passage within rivers and streams to access different habitat types.
“It is creating a healthier ecosystem and improved fishing opportunities for recreational and commercial fishers.”
Morethan $800,000 had been spent fixing seven priority sites in
MEDIA CONTACT:
Garth Montgomery
92283800 or 0408 864 851
Phil Bevan
0429458 053 (Industry & Investment NSW)
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Sydney including:
- Improving the fishway at Lane Cove weir. The improvements allowed fish to access nearly 49 kilometres of upstream habitat over a greater part of the tidal cycle.
- Weeds were removed in a saltmarsh and mangrove wetland of the ParramattaRiverto provide a free passage for fish.
- Installed a fishway at Wolli Creek, Turrella weir, a tributary of CooksRiver. This allowed for 3 kilometres of improved access for native fish.
- Installed seagrass friendly moorings at Manly Cove East to alleviate scour in seagrass, an important fish habitat.
Mr Whan said many native fish like Australian bass and freshwater mullet are migratory and need to be able to move freely to breed, search for food and shelter, and avoid predators.
“Unlike the classic images of Canadian salmon leaping upstream, most Australian fishdon’t jump and are generally poor swimmers, so poorly designed weirs, roads,and floodgates can act as physical or behavioural barriers to migratingfish.”
Mr Whan said the project was managed by Industry & Investment NSW’s Conservation Action Unit, in collaboration with the five coastal Catchment Management Authorities, all tiers of government and NSW fishers.
Initial funding of $3 million was provided by the Federal Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and was administered by the Southern Rivers CMA. State Government fundingwas provided by the NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust,with in-kind contributions from project partners such as local councils, waterauthorities and landholders totalling $4.2 million.
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A.F.A is upgrading to a new Club House
For many years and over many committee's, the A.F.A has been looking for a permanent home. It has proven to be a challenging task. The current committee is working very hard to finally secure a new club house for the A.F.A. A special thanks goes to Richard Spata, Agatha La manna and of course our patron Angela D'amore for their continued efforts. |
A.F.A is proposing a Sydney Harbour Foreshore anglers clean up day
For many years, anglers have been fishing along our foreshores, enjoying their sport, however with changing times comes many challenges. With proposed closures of some shore based hot spots and illegal fishing on public wharves, the A.F.A is proposing a foreshore clean up day, where everyone will be welcome to participate. |
A.F.A Major Raffle bigger and better than ever on sale for the 2010 annual major raffle. Dig Deep and purchase your tickets. The prizes are amazing, ranging from quality shimano baitrunner reels with shimano rods, coleman portable hot water system, and more. A big thanks goes to John Simpson for his continued efforts. To purchase tickets, please see john on Wednesday nights. |
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AnglingCommittee with real committment
Since the days of the late Bob Cooper, has the A.F.A not seen a committed Chairman of the Angling Committee and a dedicated angling committee to support him. A big thanks goes to Robby Trad for bringing the focus of the A.F.A back to fishing and bringing the enjoyment of fishing back to our members. Just another example of an individual making a big difference to the overall success of the A.F.A |
End of Month Barbecue giving back to the members of the A.F.A
The success of the A.F.A is founded on individuals committing to one or more tasks and doing a great job. The A.F.A holds an end of month barbecue for our members. Members are not charged, however a tin is left near the barbecue and members can donate some small change at their own will. Our end of month barbecue wouldn't be a success that it is if it wasn't for Charlie Brincat. |
A.F.A Auction is coming soon 2010 auction will be held sometime in august. A date hasn't been set as of yet. This years auction will prove to be bigger and better than last year. A special thanks goes to Carlo, Robby, Richard, Agatha, John Bullen (too many johns), John Brandt, Dennis, Arthur, Charlie, Andrew and John Mac. If you have any quality gear lying around in the garage or have excess stock in your tackle store, please contact carlo to register as a seller. |
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Rock Fishing Safety
As many of you have heard, this year has seen too many fatalities on the NSW coast line. The A.F.A is encouraging Rock Anglers to enjoy your sport, however please excercise extreme caution when fishing off the rocks. Please never fish alone and always have a backup plan if someone is swept into the water. |
Facebook
The A.F.A now has a facebook account. This will enable us to make contact with other keen fisho's so we can become one voice to save our beloved sport from exitinction.
you can find us with username AFA NSW |
Massive Marine park proposed for Sydney
A PROPOSAL for a massive marine park stretching along Sydney's coast - from Gosford in the north to the Royal National Park in the south and three kilometres out to sea - is being launched today.
click here to sign a petition to voice your concerns |
