Anglers' fees fund fish cleaning table and fish measuring station at Lake Keepit

Anglers are set to benefit from a new fish cleaning table and fish measuring station at Lake Keepit, near Gunnedah, funded by the NSW recreational fishing licence, the Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said today.

Mr Dunn said the NSW Government's Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust and Lake Keepit State Park Trust will each contribute $2,600 to the project.

"This is anglers' fees at work - all money raised by the NSW recreational fishing licence is placed into saltwater and freshwater trusts overseen by anglers and used to improve recreational fishing, " Mr Dunn said.

"Fish cleaning tables provide a direct service to anglers. They also promote a tidy environment and help prevent littering."

Currently one small fish-cleaning table exists at the Lake, which is very popular with anglers.

"Recreational fishing is a great attraction at this location. The new table and fish measuring station will be a welcome addition to the area and will allow anglers to prepare their catch in a well-lit and covered cleaning area, " Mr Dunn said.

Mr Dunn said the funding came from the freshwater trust's small grants program.

"Under the program, community groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 on a matching dollar for dollar basis.

"This year, a total of $20,000 is available for projects to improve recreational fishing under the freshwater trust's small grants program, with a further $50,000 available for saltwater projects from the saltwater trust," Mr Dunn said.

Media inquiries - Daniel Rath 02 8437 4984 or 0438 247 571