- $400,000 available to commercial, charter fishers, and recreational groups.
- Funding is for community-focused projects that promote and develop sustainable fishing practices.
- Fisheries funding at risk from David Crisafulli – LNP cut 28 per cent of fisheries jobs when last in power.
Queensland fishers can now apply to reel in their share of $400,000 under the Miles Government's fishing grants program.
The funding forms a crucial component of the Miles Government's Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, designed to establish a legacy of sustainable fisheries for future generations.
This year saw a large increase in applicants with hundreds received, and applications are now open for further grants with funding divided between:
- $200,000 for commercial and charter fishing initiatives that aim to promote sustainable fishing practices.
- $200,000 for recreational initiatives that provide a benefit to recreational or traditional fishing in Queensland.
Commercial and charter applications are open until 25 October 2024 and may include trialling alternative or innovative gear, industry modernisation, responsible or sustainable fishing methods or education, sustainable seafood promotion, and promoting mental health initiatives within the commercial fishing community.
Recreational or traditional fishing applications are also open until 25 October 2024 and may include projects run by community-based not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs and incorporated associations, and individuals. In the past these have included kids' fishing clinics, social-inclusion fishing and habitat restoration.
Applications can be made online.
As stated by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
"The Miles Government is dedicated to empowering all fishers to trial and implement more sustainable fishing methods and boost community fishing activities.
"These programs have been increasingly popular each year they have been run, and their benefits are invaluable.
"The grassroots projects that these grants support are helping Queenslanders build sustainable fisheries for our children and grandchildren.
"However programs such as the Miles Government's fishing grants are at risk from David Crisafulli and the LNP, who slashed gutted jobs in fisheries by 28 per cent when last in government."
