Nambucca kids will find it fun to fish

A group of 30 Aboriginal students aged 8 to 14 years, from the Nambucca Heads area, will be given the chance to swap fishing stories and learn about responsible fishing during a special fishing workshop on Tuesday May 1.

NSW DPI Staff along with elders from the Aboriginal community and Aboriginal Educators from six public schools will be passing on valuable fishing skills and knowledge.

Mr John Blair, an experienced Aboriginal Educator with NSW DPI’s Aboriginal Liaison Cultural Heritage Unit, said fishing played an important role in Aboriginal culture and the workshop was a wonderful opportunity for younger children to carry on that tradition.

“The students will have lots of fun and learn how to identify different types of fish, how to clean the fish for eating, and all about rigging, baiting and casting.

“Every child will receive a rod and reel, a tackle box, a hat and water bottle together with Fishing Guides and other fisheries information”.

Mr Blair said the workshop was part of a state-wide program, run by the DPI and funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, to teach children responsible fishing practices.

Funds raised from the recreational fishing fee are placed into two trusts, one for saltwater and one for freshwater, and can only be spent on projects to improve recreational fishing.

 “This workshop will help ensure that recreational fishing remains a sustainable and enjoyable pastime in the future and also provide a great opportunity to share with the local Aboriginal community their knowledge of local cultural fishing and stories”, he said.

Further information about fishing workshops can be found at http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/shared/fishing-workshops.

Date:   Tuesday 1st May 2007
Location:  Bellwood Park, Riverside Drive Nambucca Heads
Time:   10am - 2pm

Participants have permission for photographs to be taken.

Email: