REC fishing representative body Sunfish is making Queensland’s fishos aware that they pay a special purpose levy of $18 Recreational Use Fee (previously known as PPV) in addition to boat registration to ensure recreational fishing incentives. This levy now raises around $4.6m which goes direct to Fisheries Queensland. The monies in the past have been partly used for such activities as:
- Kids fishing days
- Freshwater fish stocking support
- Recreational research assistance
- Fishcare volunteers
- Fish tagging programs
Sunfish says $2m of this money will now be reallocated to Fisheries staffing and government business by axing the above recreational incentives and others that benefitted recreational fishing.
Sunfish is urging QLD fishos register their objections today October 15 to this reallocation of funds. Phone and email the Premier at ashgrove@parliament.qld.gov.au and 3366 6000 and contact the Fisheries Minister at toowoomba.south@parliament.qld.gov.au 4639 1199.