The 2021 Pirtek Fishing Challenge Highlights Habitat Restoration 

Competitors of the 2021 Pirtek Fishing Challenge dig deep to remove rubbish, Redfin Perch and European Carp from waterways across Australia.   

For the past thirteen years, keen rec-fishers across Australia have come together to fish in one of the largest fishing competitions in the world, the Pirtek Fishing Challenge. The catch and release competition has raised over $1.2 million for charities and offers its competitors over $240,000 in cash and prizes.   

One of the added advantages of having 10,000 competitors fishing at once is what can be achieved for habitat restoration at scale. Michael ‘Guesty’ Guest, the Pirtek Fishing Challege Founder and OzFish Ambassador says that it’s important that we always give something back. 

“Power in numbers has always been the theme for the Pirtek Fishing Challenge. Whether it’s raising funds for our charity partners, supporting local fishing communities, or restoring fish habitat – the more people on the water, the bigger impact we can have,” said Michael.  

This was on display during the challenge as competitors got cracking to help remove invasive fish, such as European Carp and the Redfin Perch from our waterways. Since their introduction into Australia, both these species have posed a major threat to native fish and their local habitats.   

“Found in swamps, rivers and freshwater creeks, both these guys are known to outcompete our native fish, through sucking up mud and destroying water quality and overcrowding systems and consuming available food,” said Michael. 

Competitors who caught one of these species, did not return them to the water. Rather, they were encouraged to follow their respective state fishing rules and regulations when it comes dispatching the fish. 

Michael Guest and the team also encourage competitors to take their share of rubbish out of the waterway during the challenge.   

“It’s awesome to have a clean-up element to the challenge. OzFish do fantastic things for recreational fishers, so it was great to see the competitors dig deep and join them on their mission to restore and clean our waterways important to them across Australia,” stated Michael Guest. 

Competitors uploaded a photo of themselves to social media with the rubbish they collected, in a move to encourage all anglers across Australia to focus on their waterways while out fishing.   

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re fishing socially or in a competition like the Pirtek Challenge, all fishers have a responsibility to ensure that their line and rubbish is coming home with them at the end of the day,” said Michael Guest.

The winners of the Pirtek Fishing Challenge will be announced on 1 May 2021. Whilst over $240,000 in cash and prizes will be given away, everyone can go home a winner knowing that considerable work was done for the protection and restoration of fish habitat.   

 To get involved with your local OzFish Chapter go to www.ozfish.org.au or call 1800 431 308.