Fish-friendly structures
Creating artificial fish-friendly structures does not justify disturbance to natural habitats, but it can help mitigate impacts of a development.
Fish-friendly structures:
- cause minimal disturbance to the existing environment
- incorporate design features that provide an enhanced habitat in which native fish species can live
- mitigate the impacts of development activities.
Native fish species benefit from fish-friendly design, which may provide and enhance:
- fish passage
- protection from predators
- feeding opportunities
- shelter from currents
- breeding and nursery habitat.
When to use
Consider fish-friendly design for any necessary aquatic infrastructure in marine or freshwater:
- small boat harbours and marinas
- jetties
- pontoons
- boat ramps
- erosion protection structures
- boardwalks
- mooring buoy
- fishing platforms.
Plan and construct
- Avoid sensitive or critical fish habitats.
- Avoid construction during critical biological events.
- Consider fish friendly design early in the planning process.
- Consider habitat requirements for local species and avoid harboring known pests to the area.
- Recognise the risks and benefits that artificial structures bring.
- Improve fish habitat values of existing structures.
- Enhance fishing access.
- Monitor the success of the fish friendly structure.
- Educate and engage with the community, e.g. including appropriate signage.
Design features
- Minimal development footprint.
- Construction materials that are natural, or promote growth of aquatic plants and animals.
- Construction material that is free of harmful substances that could be released.
- Increased surface area and interstitial spaces to create habitat complexity.
- Variety of habitat enhancements at all water depths.
- Maintenance of fish passage and natural water flows.
- Best practice construction.
- Strength, durability and ease of maintenance.
- Minimal shading of fish habitats.
Example of a fish-friendly jetty design
Figure 1: Conceptual fish friendly jetty comparison
Recreational fishing platforms
Fishing-friendly structures provide Queensland recreational fishers with safe, enjoyable and enhanced access to fishing grounds. If possible, it should be a dedicated fishing platform, to avoid conflict with other uses like boat mooring or swimming.
Locate platforms:
- where minimal damage to natural habitats is required to install them
- in coastal areas, where there is sufficient water depth to allow fishing at all stages of the tide.
Ensure they are easy to use by all fishers:
- accessible features such as ramps for wheelchair users
- lighting for night time fishing (not recommended in turtle hatchling areas)
- rod holders
- cleaning stations with water supply
- fish measuring stations
- signage to promote recreational fishing education, e.g. size and possession limits
- TAngler bins to recycle old fishing line
- shade and safety rails for safe fishing.