Sustainable fishing charity OzFish and social enterprise Reflections Holidays are launching the Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series, three angling competitions in premier fishing destinations in New South Wales, with $25,000 in prizes and a firm focus on protecting waterways for future generations.
The Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series kick offs at Reflections Copeton Waters (November 1-3, 2024), proceeds to Reflections Burrinjuck Waters (March 21-23, 2025), and concludes at Reflections Lake Keepit (May 16-18, 2025).
All profits from entry fees will be allocated by OzFish, the only fishing conservation charity in Australia, to restore fish habitat in the local catchment area.
Minister for Lands and Water and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said it was great to see Crown land holiday parks used to support initiatives for healthy waterways.
"Reflections Holidays manages holiday parks on Crown land across the state including at popular dam and lake fishing locations including Copeton, Keepit, Burrinjuck and more," Mr Kamper said.
"Fishing is a highly popular recreational activity and sport so it's terrific to see this initiative with environmental charity OzFish, which is driven by recreational fishers and volunteers who work with communities and other organisations to protect and restore fish habitats."
OzFish chief executive Cassie Price said the Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series was an exciting milestone and industry-leading development after OzFish announced its partnership with Reflections, a Crown Land Manager which reinvests all profits into its 40 holiday parks and the 45 community reserves it cares for in coastal and inland NSW.
"Entrants in the Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series can expect a few changes to the regular fishing competition format - fish health will be at the forefront, with a catch and release photo system for entries, and entrants will receive advice on the correct way to handle fish. This series is the five-star experience in sustainable fishing," Ms Price said.
"Our partnership with Reflections Holidays is perfect alignment: their ethos in caring for the environment and getting people outdoors is in harmony with OzFish's goals of sustainable fishing and restored and protected habitats for fish."
Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the organisation was committed to reducing its environmental footprint and the new fishing Series would encourage participants and their families to respect the beautiful waterways at Copeton, Burrinjuck, Lake Keepit, and beyond.
"Reflections Holidays is privileged as a Crown Land manager to care for more than 25,000 acres of nature reserve, which includes premium fishing locations that are enjoyed by our guests, many of them families," Mr Baker said.
"The Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series is an exciting new development in our partnership with OzFish because it actively educates anglers to show care in how they fish and for the fish they catch, passing that knowledge on to others to adopt wherever they fish."
The Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series aims to minimise plastic and waste and promote recycling and careful disposal of old fishing gear.
Each Reflections holiday park has a OzFish TackleLoop bin for safely depositing old fishing tackle and anglers are encouraged to bring along old rods, reels and other unneeded fishing equipment for safe disposal. The TackleLoop Repair Tent will also be there to fix any rods or reels that need a helping hand.
Tickets for Reflections Sustainable Fishing Series can be purchased at https://ozfish.org.au/sustainable-fishing-series/.
