$500,000 catch of the day in popular fishing grants program

Grants totalling $500,000 can be hooked in the next round of the Queensland Government’s popular fishing grants program.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the grants, provided under two programs, would fund a range of community fishing projects to enhance recreational and traditional fishing across the state, and support the commercial and charter fishing industry.

“Under Queensland’s Community Fishing Grants Program, $250,000 is available for community-based not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs and incorporated associations,” Mr Furner said.

“The grants will fund activities like kids’ fishing clinics, social inclusion fishing programs, recreational fish tagging, habitat restoration and fishway barrier remediation Mr Furner said.

“A further $250,000 has been allocated to the Commercial and Charter Fishing Grant Program to fund activities that modernise fisheries management in Queensland by promoting industry innovation and best practice.

“This includes projects such as trialling electronic monitoring systems, biomass estimates for coral species, effectiveness of electronic shark deterrents and industry-led campaigns to promote sustainable seafood and commercial fisher well-being.”

Mr Furner said the fishing grants program continued to grow in popularity each year.

“More than 100 applications, a 58 per cent increase on the previous year, were received during the expression of interest process for the 2021-22 grants programs, with 30 projects successfully funded,” Mr Furner said.

“These projects support the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy of building a legacy of sustainable fisheries for our children and grandchildren.

“I expect there will be a similar level of interest in this year’s funding, and I encourage recreational fisher groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and commercial and charter fishers to apply quickly.

“This is another way we are supporting the thousands of good jobs that rely on fishing, and supporting a great lifestyle for our children and grandchildren.”

Expressions of interest for the grants will be accepted online at  daf.smartygrants.com.au until December 7, 2022.

Full details of application criteria and how to apply can be found at daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries.   

For further information, email fisheriesgrants@daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Media contact:           Ron Goodman            0427 781 920