REC fishers in NSW are to reap the benefits of up to $16 million worth of projects which will improve recreational fishing opportunities across NSW, Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, anounced yesterday.
Ms Hodgkinson made the announcement at Shark Point in Sydney with the Member for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith, where they revealed that the funding includes $98,000 for the NSW branch of the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) to continue the successful Angel Rings Project.
The Angel Rings Project places life-saving buoys at popular rock fishing spots along the east coast.
Ms Hodgkinson said the $16 million in funding is from the NSW Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust and the NSW Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust, and includes:
$11.3 million for new and ongoing saltwater projects in 2013-14; and $4.5 million for freshwater programs, including $400,000 for new projects.
“Today’s announcement of $16 million worth of funding to be spent on projects that enhance recreational fishing opportunities is terrific news for the State’s one million recreational fishers,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Projects funded from the Trusts this year include a number of fish cleaning tables and accessible fishing platforms for disabled persons, the extension of the Angel Ring project as well as a host of monitoring and research projects across the State.
“These projects are directly funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee, so anglers can rest assured that the fees they pay to enjoy their sport are reinvested back into worthwhile recreational fishing projects.
“From the north to the south of the State, and in inland areas in between, fishing is one of NSW’s greatest past times, and these new projects will build on a number of world-class facilities already available throughout NSW.
“Since 2001, the Recreational Fishing Trusts have funded more than $130 million worth of projects to improve recreational fishing opportunities in NSW.”
Mr Notley-Smith said the Angel Rings Project has grown substantially since its inception in 1994, with buoys now found in 121 locations along the coast, including in the Coogee electorate.
“The angel rings are located in popular fishing spots and ANSA reports that they have assisted in 55 confirmed rescues since 1994,” Mr Notley-Smith said.
“The angel ring program is just one of the initiatives which form part of the NSW Government’s water safety measures.”
Angel Rings Project coordinator Stan Konstantaras welcomed the additional funding.
“This funding will allow us to maintain and expand this life-saving project that ANSA has been driving since 1994,” Mr Konstantaras said.
“This will allow us to roll out more angel rings up and down the east coast and increase numbers of trackers to combat theft and vandalism.”
To view the list of projects which have been allocated funding, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
