An innovative environmental project to restore habitat for native fish and improve water quality at Corner Inlet has received a welcome $50,000 boost from the Federal Government.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced Yarram Yarram Landcare Network would receive the funding for the project which would benefit both the environment and local fishermen.
“Corner Inlet has significant areas of seagrass, which is home to a variety of marine animals, and a vibrant commercial fishery,” Mr Chester said.
“Seafood caught in Corner Inlet, such as King George Whiting, southern calamari, rock flathead, southern garfish and gummy shark, is eaten around Australia. Unfortunately, invasive urchins, nutrient-rich run-off and drought have had an impact on this important habitat.
“By working to re-establish areas of broadleaf seagrass already lost and protecting what remains, we can help return this area to optimum health, which will then support a healthy population of native fish and other marine animals and increase the productivity of this fishery.”
Yarram Yarram Landcare Network coordinator Scott Elliott said the group would work closely with farmers, fishermen and the academic community to restore the seagrass.
“This is the largest community-led seagrass restoration project ever attempted in Australia,” Mr Elliott said. “Restoring seagrass habitat will increase the productivity of the Corner Inlet fishery and repair the damage caused by decades of poor water quality in the catchment.
“This is an important fishery for a variety of species. They enter the inlet and use the broadleaf seagrass as a place to live or shelter. Some fish would not be here without a healthy seagrass ecosystem.
“Parts of the inlet have become more sandy and we have lost a significant amount of seagrass habitat, including to sea urchins. We want to restore up to 200 hectares of seagrass within two years.”
Mr Chester said Yarram Yarram’s seagrass project was one of three projects in Gippsland to share almost $150,000 allocated under the Smart Farms Small Grants program.
The seagrass project received $200,000 from the Federal Government under the same grant program last year.
