Grants managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have been distributed to benefit the State’s agri-tourism and fishing industry.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said the grants would support a variety of activities associated with the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS).
He said the grants were a significant investment in Queensland’s recreational fishing.
“They will work to restock 43 SIPS impoundments that suffered significant fish stock losses in this year’s rainfall events, and deliver a small-scale pilot tagged fishing competition in the Central and North Queensland regions,” Mr Furner said.
“Fishing in Queensland’s 63 impoundments governed by the SIPS is worth approximately $100 million annually, with at least a quarter of that amount spent directly in regional economies.”
He said the grants would improve recreational fishing experiences, which supported regional economies and jobs in many ways, including boat sales and tourism opportunities, and services such as fishing tackle, bait, fuel and ice sales.
Mr Furner said the grants were also an important part of the Government’s overall Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.
“Growing participation in our stocked impoundment fisheries plays a crucial role in our aim to have fish for the future by helping to alleviate pressure on our wild fish populations,” the Minister said.
