Grants worth more than half-a-million-dollars are now available for individuals and groups interested in rehabilitating fish habitat throughout the State,says Department of Primary Industries’ fisheries conservation manager Charlotte Jenkins.“Applications are now open for grants of up to $40,000 as part of the NSW Government’s habitataction grant program,” Jenkins said.“If your local creek, river or estuary isn’t as productive as it used to be, the cause could be poor fish habitat.

“Good habitat is vital for our native fish as it allows them to find food, take shelter, hide from predators, grow and, most importantly, to breed.

“It is essential that we not only look after fish habitat but also rehabilitate degraded fish habitat.”

Habitat grants are administered by the department and applications close on September 28, at 5pm.

She said the grants program was funded by the state Recreational Fishing Trust.

“The grants are open to fishing clubs, Landcare and Rivercare groups, community groups, individuals and councils wanting to improve fish habitat in their area,” she said.

“Previous projects have included removing invasive vegetation and re-establishing native vegetation on riverbanks, removing barriers to fish movement, resnagging waterways, opening floodgates and fencing riverbanks to control the access of livestock.

“These community projects have provided fantastic results for native fish and are great examples that the money collected from the recreational fishing fee is helping to support recreational fishing and make more fish by natural means.”

Examples of past habitat action grant projects and more information can be foundHERE or by contacting a conservation manager on 6626 1107 or 4916 3926.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

FISHING COURSES

Danny Spelic’s popular fishing courses at the Canberra Institute of Technology are back for the second half of 2011.

A scholar’s cap isn’t needed to participate; these are easy and fun courses that are open to anglers of any skill level.WITH ROB PAXEVANOS