Victoria launches ‘Golden Tag’ fishing competition in bushfire-hit regions
Up to 10 lucky anglers could each land a $10,000 prize just by wetting a line in bushfire-affected waterwaysVictoria will luring anglers back to bushfire-ravaged parts of the state in a scheme that will reward people catching specially tagged fish with up to $10,000.
According to the Victorian Government, fishing in Gippsland and the north-east of the state generates more than $600 million in business for the regions each year, and supporting more than 3800 jobs in the region.
The specially marked fish – up to 1000 of them will carry a “golden” tag – will earn the first 10 people to catch them a $10,000 prize.
Any other tagged fish caught during the 12-month competition, which is yet to announce a start date, will earn $2000.
Tagged species include black bream, dusky flathead and King George whiting in East Gippsland, and Murray cod, brown trout and rainbow trout in the north east. The fish are already being stocked throughout the two regions.
Under the competition's rules, anglers will need to take a photo of the tag still in the fish, and then clip off the tag as close to the skin as possible. They will also need to fill out paperwork stating when and where they caught the fish.
Back into bushfire-hit towns
The aim of the competition is to get people back into bushfire-hit towns including Mallacoota, Cann River, Bemm River, Orbost, Marlo, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Omeo, Dartmouth, Mitta Mitta, Corryong, Tallangatta and Bright.
The government said these places were all well-known for their inland and estuarine fishing, boasting terrific opportunities for shore-based and boat-based fishers of all skill levels.
“We want to get people back to East Gippsland and the north east with family and friends, spending money and helping local communities get back on their feet,” Fishing and Boating Minister Jaala Pulford said.
“The Golden Tag competition is a way to encourage fishers to visit waterways – some for their first time and others because they’ve loved the place for decades and have fond childhood memories.”
For more information, visit the Golden Tag website.
.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
