Snagging for Estuary Perch 17th June 2005

Corangamite CMA  June 17, 2005
http://www.ccma.vic.gov.au/news/Barhamresnagging.htm

Snagging for Estuary Perch

The Corangamite CMA completed another part of its estuary restoration program this week as it re-snagged Barham River estuary.

The re-snagging project was funded through the Victorian Governments ‘Our Water Our Future’ action plan and was completed by the Corangamite CMA with support from adjacent landholders, Fisheries Victoria, Landcare and local anglers.

The re-snagging project benefits the estuary in a number of ways, these include:

• native fish such as Estuary Perch use snags as places to live, breed and feed
• snags are often used by birds, such as Cormorants and Herons as nesting sites or feeding vantage points
• snags provide important habitat for tiny bugs which fish and birds feed upon
• snags help stabilise the stream bed and banks and assist in the creation of deep pools.

Corangamite CMA River Health Officer Denis Lovric said the re-snagging took place on a 300 metre stretch of the estuary, upstream of the Caravan Park, along the Barham River Road.

“Prior to the re-snagging we completed an extensive survey of the river to determine what snags were present and what needed to be returned to improve estuary health.

“Hardwood logs and other diverse pieces of wood ranging from rootballs to tree trunks and branches were placed back into the estuary using an excavator and secured to the bank to ensure they remained in place stable,” Mr Lovric said.

The works will be evaluated using stream bed and fish surveys.

“Stream bed and fish surveys are currently being undertaken and will be repeated after high rainfall and increased flows to determine the success of the project.”

Snags occurred naturally in the Barham estuary but were removed with the thought to improve the flow of water more than 100 years ago.

Mr Lovric added the CMA had also worked extensively with landholders and the Southern Otway Landcare Network in river rehabilitation projects upstream of the estuary, with the focus on estuary protection through improved management of the streamside zone.