A project that aims to restore Ballina’s Emigrant Creek after ongoing erosion and to support healthy fish habitat is underway, says Zilla Gordon from OzFish Unlimited.
OzFish Unlimited describe themselves as ‘a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping millions of Aussie recreational fishers take control of the health of their rivers, lakes and estuaries and shore up the future of the sport that we all love.’
Gordon says to combat decades of fish habitat loss, the creek will be re-snagged, which will produce more fish.
‘The re-snagging project involves introducing trees, branches and root mass back into Emigrant Creek that over time grow algae, which helps support and attract crustaceans and, in turn, fish.’
Richmond Chapter president John Larsson said as snags are critically important for healthy fish communities the work is incredibly overdue.
‘For fish, this means the area is not suitable to rest, breed or live,’ Mr Larsson said.
With studies indicating that up to 70 per cent of the Richmond River’s fish habitat has been destroyed, OzFish Unlimited will be working hard to re-stabilise the riverbank, which is prone to slumping.
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