Tackling language barrier for non-English speaking fishers

NSW Fisheries has today launched a $50,000 campaign to promote awareness about recreational fishing issues among people from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

In cooperation with the NSW Community Relations Commission, NSW Fisheries has translated two key publications into a number of community languages.

NSW Fisheries Acting Director-General Paul O'Connor said the campaign aimed to ensure all members of the community have equal access to information on recreational fishing.

"NSW is the most culturally and linguistically diverse of all the Australian States. Over one million people (around 17 per cent of the State's population) speak a language other than English at home in NSW," he said.

"Saltwater Recreational Fishing in NSW', a summary of key fishing rules, has been translated into Mandarin, Arabic and Vietnamese."

The second publication, 'Protecting Our Intertidal Animals and Plants', has been translated into 15 community languages,including Arabic, Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Maltese, Macedonian, Italian and Thai.

These brochures are being distributed directly to community organisations, and are also available from NSW Fisheries, Fishcare volunteers, and the NSW Fisheries website at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.

"We have also been encouraging representatives of ethnic communities to join NSW Fisheries' successful Fishcare volunteer program - to help keep their community updated on fishing issues," Mr Dunn said.

Using funds from the NSW recreational fishing licence, NSW Fisheries will this year run a range of fishing clinics aimed at families from different ethnic groups this year.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Kristina Resanceff 8437 4915 or Eric Aubert 0419 185 375