Government Guidelines and Legislation
7 Key Tips For A Fish Friendly Farm
Source: 7 Key Tips for a Fish Friendly farm brochure
NSW DPI
A brochure has been released by NSW Department of Primary Industries, Murray Darling Basin Commission, NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and Natural Resource Advisory Council NSW under the Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation program Fish Friendly Farms.
The brochure provides an easy to read guide that illustrates actions landholders can take to make their farm fish friendly.
*In brief, the brochure advises; native fish need shelter, clean water, food and room to move. The seven key tips are: *
- Fallen logs provide shelter for fish. Where possible do not remove logs that have fallen into a stream (seek advice from NSW DPI), and encourage native vegetation in the riparian zone to ensure a future source of woody debris.
- Native vegetation on stream banks provides shade and food for fish. Grow native vegetation on the stream banks, and avoid degradation of existing native vegetation.
- Allow fish to migrate up and down stream. Ensure new river crossings permit fish passage. Modify or remove structures which are barriers to fish. Seek advice from NSW DPI on fish friendly designs and permits.
- Manage agricultural run-off carefully. Use chemicals conservatively, especially near waterways. Create native vegetation buffers between agricultural lands and streams or wetlands.
- Restrict stock access to waterways. Stock can disturb vegetation and in-stream habitat. Provide water for stock off stream.
- Floodgates can create stagnant conditions that potentially enhance the effects of acid sulfate soils. Modifying floodgates to allow tidal exchange provides fish passage, and can improve water quality.
- Wetlands provide important habitat and trap sediments and nutrients from run-off. Protect your wetlands by revegetating, and fencing out stock.
Several sources of funds are available to help make your farm fish friendly:
Envirofund:
www.nht.gov.au/envirofund or free call 1800 065 823
Australian Government Community Water Grants: www.communitywatergrants.gov.au or free call 1800 780 730
NSW Fish habitat Grant Program:
www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/general or phone 6765 4591 (freshwater) or 6626 1107 (saltwater)
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Incentive Program:
free call 1800 050 585
Landcare operations:
A tax deduction is available for primary producers and rural businesses for expenditure incurred on landcare operations, such as, erecting fences to keep animals out of degraded land. www.ato.gov.au or phone: 132866
For full text of the 7 Key Tips for Fish Friendly Farm Brochure:
7-key-tips.pdf – PDF – 922 KB
For more help on making your farm fish friendly, contact NSW DPI:
Charlotte Grove
Conservation Management Officer
Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation
NSW Department of Primary Industries
1243 Bruxner Highway
Wollongbar NSW 2477
Office: 02 6626 1107
Mobile: 0429 300 486
Fax: 02 6626 1377
