09/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 18:15
Published:24 September 2024
Released by:Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to invest in on-ground activities to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW, with more than $750,000 in grants awarded to five innovative coastal projects.
The Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grant program provides funding for large-scale projects that significantly enhance fish habitat, water quality and fish passage opportunities within the coastal catchments of NSW.
This includes projects to significantly rehabilitate river banks and coastal wetlands, remove or modify barriers to fish passage and construct fishways, re-snag waterways and undertake remediation works including riverbank stabilisation.
After assessing applications for the 2023-24 grants round, a total of $756,947 is being awarded to five projects:
The grants are part of the Government's ongoing work to grow recreational fishing opportunities by enhancing the habitats that fish need to thrive.
Since the inception of the Flagship Grant Program in 2016, almost $3 million from the Recreational Fishing Trust has been invested in coastal aquatic habitat rehabilitation, water quality improvement and fish passage opportunities.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"These Flagship grants allow fishing clubs, non-Government organisations and other agencies to tackle large, complex projects that will safeguard and enhance local fish habitats and recreational fisheries.
"Improved habitat means better opportunities for fish and therefore better opportunities for recreational fishers.
"This program is yet another excellent example of how recreational fishing fees are helping to support and improve sustainable fisheries in NSW."
More information on Flagship Habitat Rehabilitation Grants is available here.