A new round of grants will inject almost $250,000 to support sustainability in Queensland’s commercial fishing industry.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the fishing project grants would fund projects during to enhance fishing across the state.
“Funding through the fishing project grants supports the government’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy of building a legacy of sustainable fisheries for our children and grandchildren,” Mr Furner said.
“$248 237 has been allocated from the Commercial and Charter Fishing Grant Program to four groups involved in commercial fishing for projects to improve fishery management practice, trial cost effective independent data validation technologies, research into the effectiveness of electronic shark deterrents, and developing biomass estimates for important aquarium coral species.”
Mr Furner said the grants were a welcome investment for our fishing sector.
“The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fishing has highlighted the importance of supporting all parts of the state’s fishing industry,” Mr Furner said.
“We want a diverse recreational, charter and commercial industry and cultural important resource for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that supports regional jobs and economies.
“This latest round of funding continues the Queensland Government’s proud support of fishing activities across the state.”
The recipients of the grants are:
• OceanWatch Australia, for a project focussed on sustainable fishing practices and education;
• Wild Barra Fisheries, for a project trialling monitoring systems;
• James Cook University, for a project looking at biomass estimates related to corals; and
• Dragon Lady Fishing Tours, for a project on the effectiveness of electronic shark deterrent devices.
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