A programme designed to unclog waterways in the Manawatū Whanganui region has set its sights on freeing up more than 1000km of habitat for migratory fish.
Indigenous fish such as tuna (eels) need to be able to move up and down freshwater habitats to access feeding and spawning environments.
Photo: DOC
The Enhancing Native Fish Populations through Fish Passage Remediation project was recently awarded $2.6 million through the government's Jobs for Nature programme.
The Horizons Regional Council has since committed a further $300,000 towards the $3.2m project that will build on existing programme, and will include removing large barriers to the movement of migratory fish.