The State Government is making fishing even better right across Victoria with 14 fishing projects set to share in nearly $1.1 million in grants.
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh announced last week that the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) would be one of the recipients of the Recreational Fishing Large Grants Program.
“Local fishing clubs, environment groups, and the CMA have done a huge amount of work to make the Gippsland Lakes Victoria’s best fishing location – and this is another great step forward in their efforts,” Mr McIntosh said.
The fund is backed by Victoria’s anglers through the reinvestment of their fishing license fees – which means this generation of fishing fans is making sure the next generation has the same great fishing they get to experience.
The East Gippsland CMA will install woody habitat in the Gippsland Lakes, at Jones Bay and the Nicholson River, which will benefit key species such as black bream, estuary perch and Australian Bass.
“The Loch Sport Fishing Association is grateful to see new work in the Gippsland Lakes improving the fishing habitat,” Loch Sport Fishing Association committee member, Peter McMahon said.
“Since the banning of the fishing nets, we have seen the health of the Lakes improve immensely with the increase of fish size and numbers.”
An additional $300,000 will be allocated by the VFA to support a range of First Nations fishing projects over the next six months.
The 2024-25 Large Grants Program is currently open, with applications closing on February 28.
For more information go to the Victorian Fishing Authority website.