Murray Cod snag some new Darling habitat

Blackie Gordon and Joe Brennan overseeing the installation of snags on the Darling River. Photo contributed

Native fish in the Darling-Baaka River have been enjoying the benefit of new snag habitat over summer following recent on-ground works between Louth and Tilpa.

The re-snagging works involved installing large tree logs in strategic areas to achieve positive outcomes for the local environment, landholders and community members.

A total of 419 locally sourced bimbil box (Eucalyptus populnea), weighing an estimated 180 tonnes, were re-purposed to create 109 fish habitat complexes late last year.

Prior to the on-ground re-snagging works commencing, the project worked with local Aboriginal stakeholders to ensure due diligence for Aboriginal cultural heritage was undertaken regarding any activities leading to cultural disturbance.

Snags are a vital part of a healthy river system and provide important habitat for native fish, who use snags to shelter from predators, currents, and to feed and spawn and as a nursery for juvenile fish.

Snags also help to provide local flow variation and mix water that is beneficial to aquatic animals and overall river health.

They also provide an opportunity for long term carbon storage in the aquatic environment.

The re-snagging works were coordinated by Western Local Land Services, with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries contracted to undertake the works, through the NSW Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks Program. (…)

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