Fish lotto to reel in bushfire recovery dollars in regional Victoria
Keen anglers in East Gippsland could be heading home from a fishing trip $10,000 richer in a new bushfire recovery plan aimed at enticing tourists to fire-ravaged areas.
VIC News
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Anglers who catch “golden fish” will land up to $10,000 under a plan to get people hooked on our bushfire-hit regions again.
Up to 1000 fish in the rivers and lakes of fire-ravaged East Gippsland and the state’s northeast will be tagged with golden markers that recreational fishers can exchange for cash prizes.
The initiative comes as the Herald Sun Go Country campaign urges Victorians to adventure out and help revive our tourism jewels.
The Golden Tag competition will dangle thousands of dollars as bait to lure back visitors to areas crying out for an economic boost.
The first 10 lucky anglers to report their catch to the Victorian Fisheries Authority will pick up $10,000, while tagged fish caught after that will earn $2000.
The prize pool is capped at $500,000 for now and will be built into the VFA’s existing budget.
But it is understood the government will look at extending the program if it is successful.
The competition will cast-off within months, with the start date dependent on the speed of recovery efforts in bushfire-affected areas.
It is expected to take about 12 months for 300 of the tagged fish to be caught.
Authorities are hoping the event will bring a massive boost to parts of Gippsland and north east Victoria known for inland fishing from the shore and by boat.
It comes as the Princes Highway reopened after being closed for more than a month due to East Gippsland’s deadly bushfires.
The final roadblock, on the stretch of highway between Cann River and the NSW border was lifted on Tuesday.
The recreational fishing industry brings in more than $600 million to the two regions each year, supports over 3800 jobs and provides a major boost for tourism.
Towns such as Mallacoota, Orbost, Omeo and Corryong are among those that will be targeted.
Fishing and Boating Minister Jaala Pulford said she hoped the scheme would bring more people to the state’s waterways.
Species included with golden tags will include black bream, dusky flathead and King George whiting in East Gippsland, and Murray cod, brown trout and rainbow trout in the north east.
Anglers will be asked to take photos of the fish and the tag marked with a competition serial number.
An official start date will be launched after consultation with Visit Victoria.
SPECIES TAGGED
Black bream
Dusky flathead
King George whiting
Murray cod
Brown trout
Rainbow trout
AREAS TO BENEFIT
Mallacoota
Cann River
Bemm River
Orbost
Marlo
Lakes Entrance
Lake Tyers
Omeo
Dartmouth
Mitta Mitta
Corryong
Tallangatta
Bright
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HOW IT WORKS
Up to 1000 fish tagged in rivers and lakes of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria
The first 10 tagged fish to be reported to the Victorian Fisheries Authority will each earn the angler $10,000
Any tagged fish caught after that will be awarded $2000
The competition will run for 12 months