Women’s recreational fishing network launched

The Palaszczuk Government has launched a new social media network to encourage more women to take up fishing.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the government had launched the new Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) Program to develop leadership, promote knowledge sharing and showcase activities for women in fishing in Queensland.

“The WIRF Program creates a ‘safe space’ for women of all ages, skill levels and cultural backgrounds to network via a Facebook community,” Mr Furner said.

“This network will encourage women to participate in recreational fishing activities, share knowledge, stories, tips, get the right equipment and promote events such as the WIRF Leadership program to develop female role models within the recreational fishing community.  

“During the 2019-20 financial year, approximately 347,000 women and girls participated in recreational fishing activities across the state, and the WIRF Program is an exciting platform to increase that participation rate.

“Establishing this Facebook network will boost the already significant contribution woman and girls make to Queensland’s $333.7 million recreational fishing sector.”

Mr Furner said establishing the program complemented a renewed focus on a similar group formed in 1996 to raise the profile of women in the seafood industry.

“Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) is a unique network covering commercial fishing, processing, aquaculture, cutting edge research, policy and resource management,” Mr Furner said.

“Fisheries Queensland is renewing its involvement in and support of this incredible group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of women in the Australasian seafood industry and establishing effective partnerships with government agencies and industry stakeholders.

“Fisheries Queensland is currently working with WISA to organise the attendance of Queensland’s next generation of WISA leaders and mentors at September’s Seafood Directions in Brisbane, which will include a session on leadership development.

“These initiatives underline the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ and the government’s commitment to women in fishing and the seafood industry across Queensland.”

Click here to join the Women in Recreational Fishing Network Qld.

More information about WISA is available at www.womeninseafood.org.au.

Media contact:           Ron Goodman            0427 781 920