Fishers land $300,000 cash boost

Fish stocks and habitats in the Pumicestone Passage and Deception Bay waterways have been given a $300,000 boost by the Federal Government.

The grant is for a Fishers for Fish Habitats in the Northern Moreton Bay and Maroochy River Project to help restore the health of coastal and estuary habitats.

Federal MP for Longman Terry Young said the project, under the Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program, is one of 28 across the country to share $8 million of funding.

Boosting stocks

“This is a collaborative and strategic drive to improve the once-thriving fish stocks of the popular Maroochy River, Pumicestone Passage and Deception Bay waterways,” he says.

“It will enhance fish habitats through bank stabilisation and mangrove rehabilitation along Burpengary Creek and restore in-stream shellfish habitat in the Pumicestone Passage.”

It will be delivered by Healthy Land and Water, with Ozfish and recreational fishers and include work in the Maroochy River canelands, Coolum Creek Wetlands, and Maroochy estuary.

Critical move

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said it was “critical we keep our fisheries habitats healthy so we can continue to enjoy our world-class fishing into the future.

“This program will benefit Australia’s natural resource base and the broader community – especially our recreational fishers.

“Together, they will work on surrounding vegetation and biodiversity in marine and estuarine areas, from tropical mangrove wetlands in Queensland, to building shellfish reefs on Kangaroo Island and restoring fish habitat damaged by moorings in southern Tasmania.”

The Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program is a 2019 government election commitment to provide $8 million to restore the health and functionality of coastal and estuarine fisheries habitats.

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