The $300,000 fish that didn’t get away

Recreational fishing in Queensland’s stocked impoundments has netted $300,000 in targeted grants to encourage agri-tourism in the state’s fishing industry.

An Australian Bass caught at Cressbrook Dam, one of the 63 impoundments in Queensland’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme. Photo: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the grants would support a variety of activities associated with Queensland’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS).

“This significant investment in Queensland’s recreational fishing will fund work to restock 43 southern Queensland 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 SIPS impoundments, which require a permit to fish with a line, is worth approximately $100 million annually, with at least a quarter of that amount spent directly in regional economies.

“These grants will improve recreational fishing experiences which support regional economies and jobs in many ways including boat sales and tourism opportunities, and services such as fishing tackle, bait, fuel and ice sales.

“Making this funding available is one way the Queensland Government supports our volunteer partners in SIPS and I encourage anglers to help their communities by getting out and buying a permit to fish in these dams.”

Mr Furner said the grants were also an important investment in the Queensland Government’s overall Sustainable Fisheries strategy.

“Growing participation in our stocked impoundment fisheries plays a vital role in our aim to have fish for the future by helping to alleviate pressure on our wild fish populations,” Mr Furner said.

“As the impoundments are stocked with native fish specifically for recreational fishing.

SIPS provides a sustainable fishing option and gives anglers the chance to catch favourite species including golden perch, Australian bass, and barramundi.

“SIPS directly contributes approximately $850,000 annually to small and medium regional enterprises which produce fingerlings for the scheme.”

Grant details

• $200,000 (ex-GST) to 27 volunteer community stocking groups to restock 43 flood affected stocked impoundments in southern Queensland
• $100,000 (ex- GST) to the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland Inc to deliver a small-scale pilot tagged fishing competition in the Central and North Queensland regional areas

Visit qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/dams to find the nearest stocked waterway and buy a permit, or call 13 25 23 for more information.