OzFish Unlimited - Geographe Chapter

15/04/2026

Hand-weaving homes for native fish in Victoria 🐟

We've teamed up with Darebin Creek Management Committee, Snakebird Designs, and locals to trial new fish homes constructed with natural timber and plant matter.

The group experimented with different techniques and materials to create small Fish Hotels—snags that are designed to create shelter for fish—which will be installed in Darebin Creek in Victoria later this year.

Fishers and community members will return after the installation to see if these new homes have been adopted by native fish to measure their impact.

Learn more about the project here: https://ozfish.org.au/projects/darebin-creek-victoria/

This activity is part of the Darebin Creek Habitat Project – an OzFish / DCMC partnership funded by Microsoft and the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with the support of the City of Darebin.

10/04/2026

Even the smallest fish need a home, so local artists and fishers crafted one. The endangered River Blackfish now has a place to call home in the Tumut River.

This project was funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) through the Tumut River works program and supported by One Basin CRC, Landcare NSW and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.

07/04/2026

🎣 It's time for a new fishing challenge over the holiday break, and the kids can get in on the action with this one!

We've just released our new citizen science dashboard which includes two new fishing activites for targeting non-native species like carp and tilapia. This is a great way to wet a line with the family, while helping to remove damaging species from our local waterways. 🐟🐟

To hook in, head over to our Citizen Science page: https://ozfish.org.au/citizen-science/

04/04/2026

Our Richmond River chapter in Northern NSW have planted 1400+ trees to shore up the riparian zone along Maguires Creek 🌱🐟

With 25 volunteers turning up to lend a hand, this is what's possible when local communities take action for fish habitat in their region.

A big thank you for the support from Ballina Shire Council, Tuckombil Landcare Group, Richmond Landcare Incorporated, Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council, and Back to Bushland for collaboratively making this planting happen!

02/04/2026

We've teamed up with three top fishers to share their secrets for targeting big Dusky Flathead on the 15th April!

Learn fishing insights, tips and tricks from some of the best flathead fishers around—all from the comfort of your couch. This is a free members-only online event that will explore the behaviours, habitat, and tactics for chasing big Dusky Flathead in your local estuary.

Featuring guest speakers:
- Bo Sawyer ()
- John Costello ()
- Makaira Muscat ()

Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Time: 7pm – 8pm AEST

Learn more and register to save your spot at https://ozfish.org.au/event/dusky-flathead-webinar-april-2026/

31/03/2026

We’re on the lookout for a Senior Project Officer to join our crew in north QLD 🐟

If you're based in Townsville, point your energetic fins in our direction to help us coordinate projects and events to support our commitment to restoring fish habitat!

Learn more and apply 👉 https://ozfish.org.au/careers/

30/03/2026

27/03/2026

If a WA OzFisher tells you they’re working with goldfish, they don’t mean tiny comets in a bowl—they mean two-kilo pests causing havoc in our waterways!⁠
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Across WA’s creeks and rivers, feral goldfish that have bred from dumped pets eat native fish eggs, gobble up the food meant for Australian fish, and spread disease. They also dirty up the water with their big mouths by sifting through the mud at the bottom of the river, disturbing sediment and releasing nutrients that can trigger harmful algal blooms. ⁠
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We’re not having it, so we’ve joined with our pals at Murdoch Uni to haul them out!⁠
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So far this year we’ve removed 1400 pest goldfish and carp using electrofishing techniques.⁠
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Electrofishing involves generating a field of electricity in the water to stun nearby fish that we then scoop up with a net. Any native fish nearby are unharmed, and after a short period of time they shake themselves off and swim away! ⁠
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Pest fish eradication forms part of our approach to supporting fish habitat across Australia and we are always keen to get more locals involved. ⁠
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Join as an OzFish member for as little as $10 a year and help us support fish in our waterways (but not goldfish, they need to stay in bowls at home!).⁠
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This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchment Program and is supported by the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems (Murdoch University), and local and State Government Authorities of Western Australia.

25/03/2026

We’re growing, and are now hiring a Safety Officer to join our crew 🐟

If you're a strategic safety professional with experience managing safety policies, working with small teams, and you share our commitment to restoring fish habitat, we want to hear from you!

Learn more and apply 👉 https://ozfish.org.au/careers/

24/03/2026

Brimming with enthusiasm, students from Trangie Public School in NSW have dipped their hands to help propagate aquatic native plants for the endangered Olive Perchlet.

The Macquarie River OzFish chapter and Royal Flying Doctor's Wellbeing (GROW) program have teamed up to help our Olive Perchlet, which has vanished from many parts of NSW. These small-bodied fish are the "missing link" in the food web, helping to sustain fish icons like the Murray cod and Golden perch.

After learning how native plants support native fish, the students hit the GROW wellness centre’s hydroponic beds to propagate the habitat these fish require. From the classroom to the riverbank, these kids are helping our native fisheries from the ground up.

This event was funded through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and was a collaboration between OzFish, Trangie Public School and the Royal Flying Doctor's GROW Wellness program, with support from Landcare NSW, One Basin CRC Program and BCF – Boating, Camping and Fishing.

Olive Perchlet image courtesy of Gunther Schmida, Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin.

19/03/2026

A synergy between art, science and fishing has led to the two-finned blackfish having a fighting chance (and a stylish new home) in the Tumut River catchment in NSW's Snowy Mountains!

09/03/2026

There were some big sambos getting around our divers when they were cleaning up the jetty last week. Thanks to Aneta Rybak Ward for the video!

02/03/2026

13/02/2026

Calling local divers🤿 We are teaming up with the Jetty again for our Big Underwater Clean Up 2026! Dive places are limited, so get in quick and register through the Busselton Jetty website. Onshore helpers needed too, lunch provided🐟

03/02/2026

Howie's Junior Jetty Classic 2026 saw a more than 70 kids take to the jetty to finish off the holidays, our biggest comp to date. Windy conditions didn't deter the junior fishers reeling in a range of species including King George Whiting, skippy, trumpeters, bream, snook, long toms, Norwest blowfish, a banjo shark and even a flathead on squid jig. Thanks to Busselton Jetty and BCF - Boating, Camping, Fishing Busselton for the support.

03/02/2026

Howie's Junior Jetty Classic 2026. After a quick chat about competition rules, the race was on to grab a good spot and get a line in the water!

05/11/2025

Seeds for Snapper is firing up again in Cockburn Sound for 2025!

A very big thanks to BCF - Boating, Camping, Fishing Busselton and TRED 4x4 for fast tracking our order of new fruit tubs, they are awesome!

Plenty of opportunities to get involved if you are in Perth or Rockingham this month🌱🐟🌱

17/09/2025

Wonderful work LCC! We really enjoyed helping out on the Collie River project🦞