Students from Tambo Upper Primary School kicked off a perfect winter’s morning on the Tambo River. The day began with the sight of two White-bellied Sea Eagles, a Pelican, and mist rising gently off the water.
It was here that the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA), alongside Fishcare, joined the students for a hands-on session exploring the importance of fish habitat.
“The students spent the day at Battens Landing and learnt about the importance of fish in rivers and habitats. The students also cast a line and tried their hand at fishing, unfortunately only a few snags were caught, better luck next time,” said Bec Hemming, CEO of the East Gippsland CMA.
“They were an enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of students who wowed CMA staff with their knowledge of the river, the fish that live there and the importance of habitat in a river”.
For more than 20 years, large timber structures have been installed across East Gippsland’s waterways to create habitat to improve the availability, density and connectivity of shelter for native fish species.
These long running programs are a collaborative effort between the East Gippsland CMA, Victorian Fisheries Authority, angling clubs, community groups, and partner agencies, all sharing a commitment to improving waterways for native fish and recreational fishing.
The East Gippsland CMA recently completed the installation of log structures throughout the Tambo and Mitchell River estuaries to enhance habitat for key native species such as black bream, estuary perch and Australian Bass. This project was funded by the Fish Habitat Improvement Fund, which is part of the Victorian Government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan.
