NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Group Director, Recreational and Aboriginal Fisheries, Peter Turnell, said grants are available for both large projects involving more than $10,000 of funding, and smaller projects involving less than $10,000.

“This funding makes a meaningful difference to recreational fishers, with flow-on benefits for entire communities who benefit from the increased tourism and business opportunities that recreational fishing can generate in their region,” Mr Turnell said.

“Projects funded from the Recreational Fishing Trust include recreational fishing education, fishing access and facilities, improving fish habitat, fisheries research and much more.

“Some of the popular projects currently funded include fishing platforms, fish cleaning facilities, fish stocking, fish aggregating devices, fishing workshops, the Fishcare Volunteer program and fish habitat rehabilitation.

“Each year, around $15 million is raised from the sale of recreational fishing licences and re-invested back into projects that benefit recreational fishing. 

“We encourage all fishing and community groups to come up with new ideas on how this funding could be re-invested back into the sport they love.”

Mr Turnell said applications are open to anyone, including fishing clubs and organisations, universities, councils, community groups, and individuals. Joint applications, including those that combine freshwater and saltwater projects, are encouraged.

“You can discuss your funding ideas with DPI Fisheries by calling (02) 4916 3835 or by emailing recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au for more information, ” he said.

“This grants program is another way the NSW Government continues to reinvest this resource back into the recreational fishing industry which adds about $3.4 billion to the State’s economy each year, and accounts for more than 14,000 full-time jobs.”

Applications close on 30 November 2018.

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