Queensland backs recreational fishing with $200,000 in local grants

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries The Honourable Mark Furner

Recreational Fishing Grants worth $200,000 are being awarded to 19 fishing and community groups around the state who support fishing through clinics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural fishing activities, research and improving fish habitats.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said with so many recreational fishers in Queensland it was no surprise the grants program attracted so much interest.

“In 2020 we increased the funding to $200,000 and we broadened the criteria to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ traditional fishing projects, such as signs explaining sea country or education on traditional fishing activities,” Mr Furner said.

“Through this program we are supporting activities and projects that enhance recreational fishing across our state.

“This year the program also looked for opportunities to support regional economic recovery from COVID-19 through non-commercial fishing opportunities.

“More than 60 applications were received from community-based not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs and incorporated associations, schools and local councils.

“The applications were competitively assessed based on their benefit to recreational and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ fishing, the project need, value for money and alignment with Queensland’s strategic recreational fishing priorities.”

Funding was awarded across four key activity areas as follows:

  • 13 education fishing activities
  • two fish habitat improvement projects
  • three monitoring and research projects; and
  • two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional fishing education activities.

Bamboo Projects Education, Mooloolaba

Connect to Culture – Wheelchair Access Boat Fishing Day

$3,210.00

Hinchinbrook Sportfishing Club, Hinchinbrook

Hinchinbrook Sportfishing Club Tagging Program and Kids Fishing Day

$3,150.00

Australian Fishing Trade Association, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Brisbane

Indigenous Youth Recreational Fishing Cultural Exchange Program

$20,000.00

Suntag Australia Inc. Sate wide

Suntag 2020-21 tagging

$20,000.00

Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation, Lama Lama Land and Sea Country, around Princess Charlotte Bay

Looking after Lama Lama recreational fisheries including education and involvement of Lama Lama Juniour Rangers, Lama Lama community, recreational fishers and scientists

$41,288.00

Fishability Qld Inc. Bribie Island, Sandstone Point, Runaway Bay

Fishability Qld Health and Well-being Boating and Fishing Program

$20,000.00

Rockhampton Regional Council, Mount Morgan Dam, Rockhampton

Rockhampton Regional Recreational Fishing Program at Mount Morgan Dam

$10,000.00

Australian Fishing Trade Association, State wide

‘Let’s Go Fishing Queensland’ responsible fishing campaign

$20,000.00

Callide Valley Native Fishstocking Association, Biloela

‘Fishing Friends’ fishing clinics

$2,550.00

Sunshine Butterflies, Noosa

Recreational fishing and education program for all abilities

$1,764.00

Caloundra Power Boat Fishing Club

Golden Beach School Fish Education Program

$1,350.00

Clontarf Beach State High School

Clontarf Beach SHS Aquatic Practices Recreational Fishing Program

$2,150.00

Redcliffe Special School

Bribie Island Kids Fishing Day

$1,650.00

Burdekin Shire Council

‘Fishing in the Burdekin’ Guide

$2,533.00

Bundaberg Regional Council

Youth Mental Health and Fishing

$2,089.60

Logan City Council

Queens Road Causeway Remediation for Fish Passage

$20,000.00

Qld Sportfishers (Australian National Sportfishing Association, Queensland Branch)

Qld Sportfishers Connecting Communities Through Citizen Science and Virtual Recognition of Fishing Achievements

$16,265.40

Pine Rivers Fish Management Association

Angler Education Events 2021

$2,000.00

OzFish – Gold Coast Chapter

Barr’s Scrub Bass Habitat

$10,000.00

TOTAL GRANTS

$200,000.00

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