Three community organisations in Mackay will receive Queensland Government grants to help more people get involved in recreational fishing in the region.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said grants to the Mackay Recreational Fishing Alliance, OneLife NQ and Calen State School P&C will help their activities supporting recreational fishing.
"Fishing is an important way of life for many people in Mackay, and these grants will help more locals to experience the joys of recreational fishing," Ms Gilbert said.
"Recreational fishing is also a driver of jobs in the local economy, with everything from bait and tackle sales through to tourism and accommodation."
The Mackay Recreational Fisheries Alliance will receive $2494 to replace equipment used in its schools fish program, teaching hundreds of school students each year.
OneLife NQ will received $5500 to provide tools to encourage local NDIS participants to be included in fishing clinics in the Mackay Region, including offering fishing clinics and social days the approximately 1600 NDIS participants in the region.
Calen State School P&C Association will receive $4100 to bring together rural students with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share and teach culture, traditional fishing methods and caring for land and sea.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the fishing project grants would fund a range of fishing activities across the state.
"Funding through the fishing project grants supports the government's Sustainable Fisheries Strategy of building a legacy of sustainable fisheries for our children and grandchildren," Mr Furner said.
"Under Queensland's Community Fishing Grants Program, 27 community-based not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs and incorporated associations will receive a total of more than $250,000 for fishing projects such as fishing clinics, research, promoting recreational fishing or fish habitat improvement.
Mr Furner said the grants were a welcome investment for our fishing sectors that are part and parcel of our way of life in Queensland.
"This year, the popular Queensland's Community Fishing Grants Program has increased from $200 000 to $250 000 and a new Queensland Commercial and Charter Fishing Grants Program of $250 000 been added following the 2021 budget announcements by the Queensland Government," Mr Furner said.
"The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fishing has highlighted the importance of supporting all parts of the state's fishing industry, a diverse recreational, charter and commercial industry and cultural important resource for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that supports regional jobs and economies.
"This latest round of funding continues the Queensland Government's proud support of fishing activities across the state."
Further announcements of successful grant recipients will be made in coming weeks.
