Fishing for the future workshops: How a love for fishing can become a career

7 Jul 2016

A joint NSW Police and NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (NSWDPI) Fishing for the Future program will highlight the potential careers that can be developed through a passion for recreational fishing to teenagers.

NSW DPI Community Program State Coordinator Dee Payne, said the workshops held this weekend are part of an established interagency partnership aimed at targeting at risk Aboriginal youth.

“The Fishing for the Future program has evolved from the one day Cops and Koori Kids Fishing workshop to an innovative two day cultural awareness and leadership workshop and fishing clinic,” Ms Payne said.

“Our target audience for this program is Aboriginal youths aged between 12 and 16 years old who have been identified as being at risk, or alternatively, as potential future leaders in their community.”

Day 1 of the program will be held at Seagull Lodge, Orient Point and Day 2 will be out on the water with Escape Fishing Charters from Greenwell Point.

“After these two days, we hope the young participants have developed some leadership potential and also realised that a healthy recreational past time such as fishing can lead to a fun and rewarding career,” Ms Payne said.

“Some of these kids could end up working for NSW DPI Fisheries, at a tackle shop or even as a fishing boat guide or for a fishing media outlet.”

DPI Fisheries staff and other local fishing industry representatives will give talks to the participants during the program.

The participants will also be able to test their fishing skills on-board the charter boat and experience a day’s work on the water with NSW Fishcare volunteers and NSW Police Aboriginal welfare officers.

Former participants of the program can be seen on this YouTube video clip.

Workshop details

Media contact: Sarah Wright 0427 075 167