Victoria's next generation of recreational fishers can look forward to trying a new hobby this summer with the first of 95,000 free Little Angler Kits being handed out to students this week.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation and Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos today visited Clayton North Primary School to distribute Little Angler Kits to grade 5 primary school students, delivering on a key commitment of the Allan Labor Government's $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture.
Each Little Angler Kit has everything that a budding fisher needs - fishing rod, reel with line, tackle box and a Kids' Guide to Fishing, whichoutlines the basics of fishing safety, knots and rigs.
The Kids' Guide to Fishing has colour pictures of the freshwater and saltwater fish kids are likely to see when they first cast their lines. The guide also has tips for selecting bait, information about peak seasons and a list of local fishing hot spots across Victoria.
The $1.5m investment into Little Angler Kits will help young kids get active, try a new hobby and have fun in the great outdoors with friends and family this summer.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is leading the roll out, with more Little Angler Kits set to be distributed to students before December.
To help students and parents make the most of the new kits, the VFA has created a video series with step-by-step instructions on how to cast and rig up, presented by VFA Ambassador Lee Rayner and Michelle Brittain from the Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) Network.
Now is the time for Victorian kids to test out their new fishing kits with popular lakes across Melbourne recently stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout. Kids living near the ocean can head to their local pier to catch flathead or pinky snapper.
Translated versions of the Kids' Guide to Fishing in Vietnamese, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and simplified Chinese complement the videos, all of which are available from a kid-friendly web page at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/littleanglerkit.
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
"Victorians love to fish! Recreational fishing is a terrific sport for people of all ages, skills and abilities. It's a great way to get outdoors, have some fun and make new friendships."
"Our Little Angler Kits will inspire young Victorians to put their screens down and get outside with friends and family."
"Victoria's fisheries are in great shape for the next generation to enjoy thanks to our record fish stocking, a net-free Port Phillip Bay and Gippsland Lakes, more reefs and better facilities."
"We're looking forward to seeing Victoria's next generation of fishers set up along our waterways this summer, learning new skills and having a great time in nature."
