Your opportunity to help improve rec fishing

Recreational fishing groups, individual anglers, councils and other organisations are being encouraged to apply for a State Government grant to improve their community fishing facilities.

The money has been made available through the Recreational Fishing Trusts.

Money raised from the sale of the recreational fishing licence fee are placed into two trusts - one for saltwater and the other for fresh water - and must be spent on projects to improve recreational fishing in NSW.

Expenditure from these trusts is overseen by committees of expert fishers on behalf of the recreational fishing community.

Last year alone more than $10 million was on spent on big and small projects across the state.

Funding went toward artificial reefs, ongoing fish stocking programs and research on key fish species and fishing methods, fish aggregating devices (FADs), the restoration of fish habitat, fishcare volunteers and fish cleaning tables and fishing platforms.

All of these projects are great examples of licence fees working directly for the fishing community, with millions of dollars spent to further improve recreational fishing in NSW.

Applications for 2007/2008 funding close on 7 March 2007. The Trust Expenditure committees will meet in April to consider the applications.

Only applications that benefit recreational fishing will be considered.

Contributing funding and in-kind support, such as voluntary labour, is encouraged.  For more information or assistance with applications contact DPI on (02) 95278411 or email recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
 
A full list of successful projects can be found at:
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/where-fishing-fees-go

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