More Victorians can now help boost fish populations across Victoria.
Victorian Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the Fish Habitat Improvement Fund, with $2.5 million in funding to help recreational fishers and organisations create better fish habitats.
“Funding projects to provide more habitat is yet another way we’re making Victoria’s fisheries even better and complements our record-breaking fish stocking program,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“Whether it’s woody snags in a northern river to provide homes for Murray cod, bankside vegetation to provide shelter for trout or shellfish reefs for snapper in the bay, the fund will make a wide range of projects possible.”
Administered by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the grants program includes two funding streams for recreational fishing groups and large-scale projects.
The first stream supports recreational fishing groups to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to complete small-scale works such as planting native trees and shrubs, with the grants remaining open until all the funding has been allocated.
The second stream enables large-scale projects to restore, recover and rebuild fish populations, with up to $200,000 available and co-investment from funding partners required. These grants remain open until March 1, 2024.
Catchment management authorities, local, regional and statewide fishing bodies, councils, water authorities, traditional owner groups, land councils and community organisations are all eligible to apply for the grants.
For more information, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishhabitatfund