Logs For Cod
Fish Habitat Project
Fish Habitat
The extinction of the Brisbane River Cod coincided with the loss of vast areas of riparian vegetation being clear felled. These trees would once provide a steady supply of hollow tree branches / trunks falling into the water.
Our native cod species rely on woody debris for habitat and hollow logs for spawning sites.
Working with land owners & local Government Authorities, SWFSA are replacing hollow logs & pipes into local waterways to provide suitable spawning sites for endangered Cod.
About Logs For Cod
Part of the Brisbane River Cod Recovery Project is to address the reasons why cod became extinct in the Brisbane River catchment & it’s tributaries.
200 years ago our waterways would have looked much different to how they look today. Early settlers needed timber for building houses, sheds, bridges and fences. The riparian vegetation along our waterways had some of the best timber and was the easiest to harvest. Vast stretches of forrest, some of it was even rainforrest were cleared – the land needed to be broken.
Trees along rivers & creeks provided for fish in many ways:
- shade from tall trees on the river helped to cool the water
- trees attract birds & insects – these provide food for fish
- tree branches and even whole trees fall into the water – this provided critical habitat for fish, none moreso than our cod.
Tree hollows are a preferred site for cod spawn. The male then stands guard over the eggs until they hatch. A nice neat hollow log is easier to defend than an open rock face or the bottom of the river….
Logs for Cod seeks to re-purpose hardwood tree hollows that needed to be cut down for roads or housing estates. Better to provide spawning sites for endangered fish than to be just wood chipped and carted off to gardens in the city.
What SWFSA Do
We have several on-going projects that you can get involved with.
Fisheries Enhancement
Each year we release hundreds of thousands of suitable native fish fingerlings into Lakes Somerset & Wivenhoe. Primarily these are Australian Bass & Golden Perch.
This improves recreational fishing opportunities for the general community. These fingerlings can grow to several kilograms in weight and play a part in controlling introduced pest fish species.
Riparian Vegetation
SWFSA members grow & plant suitable native trees to replenish riparian vegetation along rivers & creeks.
Trees help to hold riverbanks together, provide shade on the water and help to stop erosion as well as providing critical shade over the water which helps keep the water cleaner & cooler for native fish species such as Cod, Lungfish & Bass as well as Platypus & Rakali.
Research & Monitoring
SWSFA members regularly conduct monitoring of our waterways & fish populations using citizen science and our own monitoring apps.
We also engage electrofishing research teams to provide scientific data on our native fish populations.
Fish Habitat
The extinction of the Brisbane River Cod coincided with the loss of vast areas of riparian vegetation being clear felled. These trees would once provide a steady supply of hollow tree branches / trunks falling into the water.
Our native cod species rely on woody debris for habitat and hollow logs for spawning sites.
Working with land owners & local Government Authorities, SWFSA are replacing hollow logs & pipes into local waterways to provide suitable spawning sites for endangered Cod.
Brisbane River Cod Recovery Project
On-going restocking of endangered Mary River Cod fingerlings to replace the now extinct Brisbane River Cod. This project is aimed to replace the native fish apex predator back into the SE Qld waterways to restore the natural balance. It is hoped that these cod will eventually reproduce on thier own to form self-sustaining populations.
Aquatic Plants
To support Healthy Land and Water & SEQWater, SWFSA help to grow Vallisneria (aquatic plant) for replanting into local waterways.
Also commonly called Eel Grass, this plant is critical as a food source to the threatened Lungfish as well as a preferred media for their egg laying as well as providing habitat for many other juvenile fish species.
Community Engagement
SWSFA members regularly attend appropriate events to engage with the community to:
- promote our various projects
- recruit new volunteers
- to diseminate information relating to:
- native fish,
- freshwater habitat,
- conservation, &
- responsible fishing practices.
Our History
SWFSA began in 1988 & was originally known as the Brisbane Valley Fish Management Committee.
To date we have released in excess of 10 Million native fish into local waterways.
Our Aims
- Restocking native fish for a better fishing future.
- Restore Cod populations in local waterways to 50% of pre-European populations.
- Restore / improve riparian vegetation for fish habitat.
- Provide / enhance in water fish habitat.
Members
Our members are a mix of recreational anglers, local Govt representatives, local business owners and concerned members of the community.
How You Can Help
There are several ways you can help us.
Become A Member
Attend meetings & other activities
Fingerling Releases
Come along to public fingerling releases.
Donate
Make a donation to SWFSA to help us put more fish back in the water.
Monitoring
Enter your fishing catch data into our monitoring app HERE>>>
Fishing Permit
Make sure your Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIPS) is up to date. Everyone 18 years of age & older is required to have one when fishing on Lakes Somerset & Wivenhoe. Get a Fishing Permit HERE>>>
Destroy Pest Fish
If you catch any Tilapia, Carp or Pearl Cichlids in any waterway please humanely kill them and place in bins around the lakes or bury them above the high water mark. Do not return them to the water, even if they’re dead.
Cans For Cod
If You are doing the right thing by recycling your cans & bottles – why not go one better by nominating your cash to buying cod. Just quote our number C10393454
Every $5 buys 4 Cod to help restore the Cod in the Brisbane, Stanley & Bremer River catchments.
Brisbane River Cod Recovery Project
SWFSA stock Mary River Cod into several rivers & creeks in South East Queensland as part of the Brisbane River Cod Recovery Project.
Each year cod fingerlings are released into selected locations with a hope that this species can re-establish a self-sustaining population.
SWFSA acknowledge the Ipswich City Council, the Somerset Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, CleanCo & the Queensland Government for their on-going support.
Read more about the project HERE>>>
Benefits of Fish Restocking
SWFSA stock several native fish species under a General Fisheries Permit from Queensland Fisheries. The benefits of native fish restocking include:
Improved recreational fishing opportunities
Pest / noxious fish control
Species Recovery - Mary River Cod
Improved water quality
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy fingerlings from SWFSA?
No. We do not breed fish. We purchase native fingerlings in bulk from commercial fish hatcheries for release into local waterways.
Do I need a fishing permit?
Everyone that is 18 years of age and older requires a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) to fish at Lakes Somerset & Wivenhoe.
Funds from this permit go directly back to restocking our great lakes.
You can buy these on-line at the following link. HERE>>>
Where & When do SWFSA meet?
SWFSA generally meet on the third Wednesday of each month at the Fernvale. Check our social media for updates.
Are Mary River Cod protected?
Mary River Cod are fully protected in all rivers & creeks where they are found. The only exceptions are in listed stocked lakes where cod are less likely to be able to breed. However we recommend that ALL cod be released immediately keeping the fish in the water at all times while unhooking. Lifting them from the water, even briefly can damage internal organs leading to a slow death in coming days.
Cans For Cod
If You are doing the right thing by recycling your cans & bottles – why not go one better by nominating your cash to buying cod. Just quote our number C10393454
Every $5 buys 4 Cod to help restore the Cod in the Brisbane, Stanley & Bremer River catchments.