Waranga Basin Fish Habitat Installation Project
0 comments
The Waranga Basin Fish Habitat Installation Project will install native timber fish habitat in Waranga Basin to support the current high-quality Redfin fishery and an enhanced recreational fishery for Golden perch (Macquaria ambigua).
The habitat installation is being coordinated by the Goulburn Valley Association of Angling Clubs (GVAAC), funded from a Recreational Fishing Licen se grant a nd will besupported by the VFA's stocking of 750,000 Golden perch fingerlings over three years.
HABITAT PLAN
GVAAC, supported by The Wedge Group, have developed, and consulted on a detailed plan to install native timber habitat into Waranga Basin.
FISH PRODUCTION AND AGGREGATION
• Increase primary production – biofilms, algae
• Feeding, cover and spawning for prey – small fish, macroinvertebrates (yabbies, bugs etc…)
• Feeding and cover for stocked Golden perch fingerlings (better survival and growth rate)
• Aggregation areas for adult predators - holding, migrating, feeding.DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
• Material types
• Amenity values
• Material availability and Cost
• Anchoring requirements
• Life span
• Transport and storage
• Safety in design
• Maintenance requirements
• Deployment equipment and labour
• Installation timeframes
• Staging areas
“By installing the right habitat and diversifying the species on offer, we think Waranga Basin will become one of the best inland recreational fisheries in Victoria” -Roland Huber (Chair GVAAC)
HABITAT DESIGN
Habitat Selection Criteria
• Natural, readily available
• Stored/Assembled close to installation site
• Easily assembled
• Deployed with trailable vessel or barge
• No impact on GMW operations
Preferred Habitat Solution
• Native timber brush piles and larger woody debris
• Fixed to a precast concrete anchor post (220kg)
• Posts will also anchor marker buoys identifying each site
SITE SELECTION
Site Selection Criteria
• Operating levels
• Access for boat and land-based fishers
• Climatic conditions
• Navigation hazards
• Existing habitat
• Fish behaviour
• Fishery characteristics
• Lake bed topography
INSTALLATION PLANNING
• GMW approvals granted
• Works tendered and awarded to the team at Xtreme Marine, Echuca
• Installation is scheduled for October 2023
• Ongoing work with:
o Timber Supply
o Adjoining landholder / stakeholder engagement
TIMBER SUPPLY
• Campaspe Shire Council are providing a significant contribution as part of their Rushworth Rail Trail Project (11km, $3M)
• Native vegetation required to be removed as part of the project will be delivered to the Murray Rd staging area • These works have been recently awarded
• Additional timber will likely be required
ARE YOU KEEN TO HELP OUT
Rec fisher volunteers are needed to assist with:- Timber preparation
- Habitat assembly
If interested, please make contact.
CONTACTS
For more information or to put your name down to volunteer, please contact to following:
Roland Huber (GVAAC Chair)
0428 693 217
admin@nathaliaprinters.com.au
Karl Mathers (The Wedge Group)
0423 378 803
karl.mathers@thewedgegroup.com.au
0 comments