Vic grants to improve fishing

Victorian angling clubs and community organisations hoping to improve fishing opportunities can now apply for funding from the 2015/2016 round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program.

The annual Program re-invests revenue from the sale of recreational fishing licences into projects that benefit fishing and ensure sustainable fisheries now and into the future.

The Program is open to fishing clubs, community groups, incorporated bodies, registered companies as well as government and statutory bodies.

Project proposals between $5000 and $100,000 qualify for the Large Grants category of the 2015/16 Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which closes on February 29, 2016.

Large grants are available in four categories:
>> Fisheries sustainability and habitat improvement
>> Fishing access and facilities
>> Fisheries related education, information and training
>> Recreational fisheries research

Small grants of up to $5000 are available year round.

Commenting on the grants, Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford said: "Recreational fishing contributes significantly to the social and economic wellbeing of metropolitan and regional Victoria so we need good ideas for the right projects in the right places."

Successful projects in the past have included the construction of fishing platforms and jetties, stiles over fences to improve access along riverbanks, solar lights at boat ramps and re-snagging to improve fish habitat.

For more information, or to apply online, visit www.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants