Private jetty owners in the Peel-Harvey estuary are being encouraged to do their part to help restore fish populations in the area.
Fishing conservation charity OzFish Unlimited has launched their latest shellfish restoration project 'Pimp My Jetty' which will see vertically hanging, natural fibre rope attached to the jetties as a way of fostering native shellfish growth which then provides habitat for local fish.
Throughout the Peel-Harvey catchment, excess nutrients have caused an increase in the growth of microorganisms, particularly filamentous algae, that has begun to cover much of the natural hard surfaces which then reduces the area that the local shellfish can inhabit.
As a result, the volume of mussels on jetty structures has decreased, particularly in the local canal systems and man-made waterways, which don’t always get strong tidal flows.
Western Australia Project Officer for OzFish Unlimited Steve Pursell said jetties have always been a rich part of Australian fishing culture.
“Private jetties are an excellent marine habitat. Many are positioned in the shallow of our estuarine and coastal waters and provide a vital role in the lifecycle of our bread-and-butter species, such as the black bream and king george whiting,” Mr Pursell said.
President of the OzFish Peel-Harvey chapter and long-term Mandurah canal resident Jim Booker said he is excited at the prospect of transforming the current flat infrastructure into a three-dimensional fish habitat.
“Jetties are a haven for fish like Black Bream, which many of us anglers like to target," Mr Booker said.
"Residents on the canals, including myself, have noticed the decline in mussel populations over time and are excited to help bring these areas back to life."
The project will be monitored using Remote Underwater Video (RUV), which will allow the research team at OzFish to collect baseline data to continue this restoration into the future.
OzFish is on the lookout for jetty owners in the Mandurah canals to have their jetty “pimped” by registering their interest online at https://ozfish.org.au/projects/pimp-my-jetty/
Interested community members can also support the project by helping to construct vertical habitat reefs at 10am on Thursday April 21 and Sunday May 15 at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club.
The project would not be possible without the support from BCF, Recfishwest, Lowrance and the Peel Harvey Catchment Council.
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