From the Department of Primary Industries

Monday, 10 December 2007

‘GO FISHING IN VICTORIA’ CONVERTING FAMILIES TO FISHING

Nearly 500 families enjoyed free fishing events this year as part of the Government’s $3.2 million Go Fishing in Victoria initiative which increases recreational fishing opportunities by improving facilities and promotes fishing as a healthy outdoor activity for the whole family, Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Dr Peter Appleford, said today.

He said that 1,000 children had participated in fun and informative workshops at the five Family Fishing events held at Premier Lakes in 2007.

“The feedback from families about these events has been very positive,” Dr Appleford said.

“Of those who attended workshops covering fish handling, casting, knots and rigs, and real fishing sessions, 96 per cent rated their experience as ‘good’ or ‘fantastic’.

“When asked whether their collective knowledge of fishing had improved as a result of the day, 80 per cent said ‘yes’.

“When asked whether they were more likely to go fishing again as a result of the day, 64 per cent said ‘quite often’ and 35 per cent said ‘once or twice’.”

Dr Appleford said that encouraging families to take up fishing over the longer term was a key aim of the project.

“We want people to take up fishing for themselves and to keep fishing, which is why we combine fun-filled activities at our introductory events with instructional sessions that build real fishing skills.

“To evaluate whether we are achieving our goal of creating ‘fishing families’ we undertook a follow-up survey six months after the inaugural event at Lillydale Lake last year.

“Of those surveyed 58 per cent had fished more frequently, 87 per cent said their family had an increased interest in fishing, and 76 per cent had incorporated fishing into a family holiday.

“Follow-up surveys are planned for all five of the 2007 events that have taken place, so we will be able to quantify the benefits stemming from the initiative,” Dr Appleford said.

For more information about the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative, and for 2008 Family Fishing event dates, visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing or call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.