The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is set to dangle a $10,000 lure to encourage recreational fishers back to bushfire-affected areas.
Minister for Fishing and Boating, Jaala Pulford said the VFA would manage the 12 month Golden Tag competition and had begun preparations by tagging up to 1,000 fish in the rivers and lakes of East Gippsland and north east Victoria.
“The first 10 tagged fish to be reported caught by fishers after the competition begins will earn the lucky fisher a $10,000 cheque,” Ms Pulford said.
“Tagged fish beyond the first 10 [are] to be awarded a $2,000 cash prize,” she said.
“Tagged species include, black bream, dusky flathead and King George whiting in East Gippsland, and in the north east, Murray cod, brown trout and rainbow trout.”
Ms Pulford said recreational fishing in Gippsland and the north east was worth more than $600 million annually, supported over 3,800 jobs and was a major contributor to regional communities that depend on tourism.
“These communities have been doing it tough through January with visitor numbers down substantially during what is normally their busiest time of the year due to the summer’s devastating bushfires,” she said.
She said the competition would bring people back to: Mallacoota; Cann River; Bemm River; Orbost; Marlo; Lakes Entrance; Lake Tyers; Omeo; Dartmouth; Mitta Mitta; Corryong; Tallangatta; and Bright.
Ms Pulford said the competition was set to begin in the coming months, dependent on conditions in bushfire-affected areas, with a start date to be set in consultation with Visit Victoria
Further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
