Gone Fishing Day: The future of fishing is in safe hands
The future of fishing in Australia is in safe hands judging by the success of Gone Fishing Day over the weekend.
This year’s event was focused on a theme of “For the Future of Fishing” with OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s fishing conservation charity, joining forces with major corproate partner BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing to promote fishing all around the country.
Catering for everyone from seasoned anglers to families seeking quality time together, the event offered workshops and expert-led sessions, ensuring that even beginners could learn the basics of fishing, from casting techniques to bait selection.
Experienced recreational fishers helped hundreds of OzFish members to dangle a line while also teaching them about the benefits of sustainable fishing practices, the importance of habitat and making friends in the fishing community.
They were taught a range of topics like correct fish handling, making sure to bear all weight of the fish and what to do if the fish is gut-hooked plus how we can use circle hooks to mitigate injuring the fish if we intend to release it.
Ensuring there is no litter in the environment was a hot topic with younger fishers learning about the importance of taking all your rubbish home, making sure the off-cut end tag of your line is tucked away safely and always attempting to retrieve your snag if you can.
The future of fishing looks bright with these young guns leading the way.
Rec fishers of all ages also learned about the yabby trap round-up which is underway in several locations with the opera house style traps now banned in most states.
The Round Up encourages fishos to swap these old traps for recycling. OzFish will be working in partnership with other organisations to turn the old netting into useful products for fishers, with the proceeds of the sale being used to support habitat restoration.
OzFish provides opportunities like this for anglers to give back and restore their favourite fishing spots. This hands-on approach to conservation underscores OzFish’s mission to leave our waterways in a better state for future generations.
It was seen by the OzFish crew at Moree who hosted a school holiday fishing event in conjunction with Miyay Birray Youth Service, a not-for-profit organisation which support the development of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teenagers by providing a range of services and by building partnerships within the community.
More than 50 people attended the event at Gum Flat Reserve on the Gwydir River, which was high and running very fast, making fishing difficult, but many families were among the anglers having a go and they caught plenty of cod, catfish, yellowbelly and carp.
OzFish and its blue army of volunteers are working to restore and protect fish habitat with more than 90 restoration projects currently underway across Australia.
Manning River OzFishers got out and had a good time learning not just from the experienced but also from the young guns in attendance.
Attendees were impressed to hear how these young fishos engage with sustainable fishing already and what else we can do to ensure better habitat and better fishing into the future.
To see what your local Chapter is up to, click here.
Part of the weekend was a donation drive at BCF across Australia and we thank everyone who put their hand in their pocket to help OzFish continue its vital work.
Gone Fishing Weekend is more than just a fishing event; it’s a celebration of conservation, community and the joy of angling, and 2023 was no different.
Thanks to all those who got involved, #ForTheFutureOfFishing
