Hook, line and sinker on research and education
17 August 2018
Original media release can be viewed here.
Six projects funded by fishing licence fees have been announced today that will benefit salt and freshwater fisheries in southwest Victoria and children’s education across the state.
Four projects are research focused and will provide information to better manage target species. The other two will see new fish habitat and fishing access created on the Merri River, and a mobile app developed that will teach kids across Victoria about responsible fishing.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford, joined grant recipients at the Pavilion in Warrnambool today to announce the new projects that will help maintain healthy fisheries using the latest science and educate the next generation of fishers.
The new projects are part of the 2017-18 Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which reinvests revenue from the sale of fishing licences into worthwhile projects that make a difference across the state. The successful recipients include:
- Dr Julian Pepperell, an expert fisheries scientist who will receive $56,030 to employ citizen science that will provide more information about the age structure and movements of southern bluefin tuna (SBT).
- Deakin University will receive $34,480 to establish a southern river blackfish spawning and recruitment monitoring network in the Gellibrand River catchment. This project will provide new information on a treasured native fish species and how the population can be bolstered.
- VRFish will get $24,132 for a pilot research project on striped trumpeter in Victorian waters that will provide further insights on the fishery and how it can be sustainably managed
- The Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority will receive $13,761 to create a fish habitat hotspot on a 400-metre stretch of the Merri River and develop a local angler education and training program.
- Fishcare Victoria will be provided $107,545 to develop a ‘Get Hooked on Fishing’ mobile app with innovative digital content that complements curriculum-based learning to teach children about responsible fishing.
- $205,000 will be used by the Victorian Fisheries Authority scientists to study the movement and post-release survival of gummy and shortfin mako sharks.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Victoria is blessed with some of the most diverse and unique fisheries in the world. Investing in these projects will help us manage them sustainably now and for future generations to respect and enjoy.”
“The program is complemented by our significant investment in Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million to help get more people fishing more often.”