Media Release: 13 December 2018
In restoring Winton Wetlands, we need to provide habitat for plants and animals that has previously been lost. In the long term, new vegetation will provide a range of vital habitats for fish and other organisms. However, establishing vegetation which will then provide woody debris to the ecosystem is a lengthy process.
Fish hotels at Winton Wetlands
The Winton Wetlands Committee of Management together with the Friends of Winton Wetlands are creating ‘fish hotels’ as a quick way to restore aquatic habitat for our threatened fish species, including the iconic Murray Cod.
Two types of fish hotels are being used:
- Hollow logs – sustainably sourced from road and pipeline clearance projects.
- Constructed fish hotels – made from smaller logs and locally sourced from fallen timber.
Wood surfaces attract food for fish
“The surfaces of the wood provide an excellent place for algae and other biofilms to grow, attracting shrimp and other crustaceans which are a major food source for fish. Further, Murray Cod and other fish love to use the surfaces of the wood to lay their eggs,” said Lance Lloyd, Restoration Scientist at Winton Wetlands.
“These fish hotels will provide great fish habitat and allow aquatic species, including the threatened Murray Cod, to survive”.
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