$720,000 for recreational fishing in Tasmania

Recreational fishing in Tasmania will be boosted through $720,000 in Australian Government grants for 14 projects across the state.

Australian Government Minister for Fisheries and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz, announced the funding at the Tasmanian Trout Expo in Cressy on the 24th of August.

The Minister also launched the Brumby’s Creek Anglers Access Project which was funded $16,030 through round 3 of the programme.

"This project – and the 14 more I have announced today - demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting recreational fishers and their communities to improve recreational fishing services and facilities." Senator Abetz said.

Projects be funded include $100,000 to demolish the existing Taranna Jetty - which has been declared unsafe - and construct a new jetty.

"Other projects will see up to $77,000 provided to construct a concrete boat ramp and adjacent walkway at Pirates Bay to enable easier access and make it easier to launch and retrieve vessels," Senator Abetz said.

"And a project for the Meander and Macquarie Rivers will receive more than $99,000 to provide anglers with access across private land."

Tasmania has previously received around $841,000 for 24 projects under the programme and will receive up to $720,000 from Round 5.

"The importance of recreational fishing should not be underestimated because it provides many benefits for regional communities," Senator Abetz said.

"There is a high level of participation in fishing and it has significant economic, employment, social and lifestyle benefits."

The full list of Tasmanian grants can be seen below.

Further information can be found at www.daff.gov.au/recfishinggrants.

The Huon Valley Council will receive up to $3,184 to upgrade the existing Glaziers Bay fishing platform and address safety concerns associated with this well known and frequently used structure making it more user friendly and encouraging greater utilisation.

Huonville

The Huon Valley Council will receive up to $10,052 to install a 12.5m x 1.2m treated timber jetty next to the existing Franklin boat ramp, Tasmania. Some minor repairs will also be made to the foot of the ramp. Boat owners frequently use the boat ramp, which is the only launching facility in the area.

The Anglers Alliance Tasmania Incorporated will receive up to $99,240 to provide access to major river fisheries for anglers across Crown Reserves and negotiated access across private land. Appropriate infrastructure such as stiles over fences and access signage will be installed at each location.

The Anglers Alliance Tasmania Incorporated will receive up to $92,610 to provide access to a major river fishery for anglers across Crown Reserves and negotiated access across private land. Appropriate infrastructure such as stiles over fences and access signage will be installed at each location.

The Anglers Alliance Tasmania Incorporated will receive up to $84,380 to provide access to major river fisheries for anglers across Crown Reserves and negotiated access across private land. Appropriate infrastructure such as stiles over fences and access signage will be installed at each location.

The Tasman Council will receive up to $100,000 to demolish the existing Taranna Jetty, which has been declared unsafe, and will reconstruct a new jetty with the same footprint. Contractors will construct the initial stage of pile driving and superstructure. Under the supervision of consulting engineers the Taranna Boat Club members will provide manpower to complete the decking and railings.

The Geilston Bay Boat Club Incorporated will receive up to $11,700 to provide a floating platform adjacent to the existing public launching ramp at Geilston Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. The new structure will replace an ineffective fixed platform that is in need of relocation and replacement to suit user needs.

The Angler Alliance Tasmania Inc. will receive up to $30,000 towards development and implementation of a promotional campaign targeting local and visiting anglers. The aim is to increase awareness amongst anglers about the problem of Didymo and the threat of invasive freshwater pests in Tasmania.

JUNIOR ANGLERS EDUCATION AND PROMOTION RESOURCES

Sorell

The Angler Alliance Tasmania Inc. will receive up to $33,400 to provide education and promotional resources for freshwater fishing in Tasmania targeting school-aged children. The funds will be spent in the development, design, production, display, distribution and use of these resource materials.

TARfish will receive up to $39,250 to encourage responsible and sustainable fishing by raising awareness, and public education, within the recreational fishing community. This will be done through a State-wide bulletin (4 issues over 2007-08).

This project will receive up to $98,300 to construct a purpose built broodstock recirculating aquaculture system to produce juvenile black bream via the spontaneous spawning of captive held bream. Broodstock will be sourced from the Tamar River and held in the brood stock tanks until they spontaneously spawn.

The Tuna Club of Tasmania will receive up to $76,912 to construct a double concrete boat ramp and adjacent walkway at Pirates Bay, Tasmania to enable access for disabled, young and elderly passengers as well as making launching and retrieval easier. The project will provide Pirates Bay and Eaglehawk Neck and surrounding districts of the Tasman Peninsula with a first class Public launching area for vessels accessing the lower East Coast and Tasman Island area for recreational fishing purposes.

The Huon Valley Council will receive up to $14,822 to install a 10m x 3m treated timber fishing platform on the banks of the Huonville Foreshore, Tasmania. As part of this plan the Council would like to install a fishing platform to better cater for recreational fishing in the river.

This project will receive up to $25,850 to establish and maintain a 7 metre by 3 metre fixed fishing deck and associated facilities to provide angling opportunities for the whole community, on the Esplanade at New Norfolk, Tasmania. The design will enable people with disabilities to have the same opportunity to fish and access the Derwent River.