Fish friendly workshops for councils

Why is this project important?

Many popular activities on NSW waterways depend on healthy water quality and fish habitats.

Local councils play a key role in keeping waterways healthy. They oversee the construction, operation and maintenance of waterway structures like culverts and bridges and undertake works in and around waterways.

Councils can make sure these structures and works are conducted in a ‘fish friendly’ way.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) is working with local councils to hold fish friendly workshops. The workshops look at ways councils can manage and build structures and undertake works in and around waterways that are friendly for fish and protect water quality.

What have we achieved?

Every council on the North Coast of NSW has now participated in a Fish Friendly Workshop.

Next, we’ll be visiting the South Coast of NSW, followed by Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Mid Coast NSW.

In addition to Fish Friendly Workshops, we’ll be delivering comprehensive Erosion and Sediment Control Training to 3 representatives from each council.

We’re asking councils to nominate 3 ‘Erosion and Sediment Control Champions’ to attend the training and share their new knowledge and skills with their work teams.

Video series

A series of seven fish friendly workshop videos to help local council staff keep fish and coastal habitats healthy have been released online by DPI Fisheries.

Topics covered include:

• Harming marine vegetation
• An overview of the Fisheries Management Act Permits and Orders
• Dredging and reclamation
• Obstructing fish passage
• Remediation orders
• Temporary crossings
• Erosion and sediment control

Fish Friendly Workshops are being planned for the following locations.

Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries (DPI-F)

A series of seven fish friendly workshop videos to help local council staff keep fish and coastal habitats healthy have been released online by DPI Fisheries. Topics covered include:

• Harming marine vegetation
• An overview of the Fisheries Management Act Permits and Orders
• Dredging and reclamation
• Obstructing fish passage
• Remediation orders
• Temporary crossings
• Erosion and sediment control