Palmerston Game Fishing Club lands NT government grant
Recreational Fishing Minister Joel Bowden has reminded keen fishers that government grants are up for grabs, with one Palmerston club receiving a big financial boost.
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Palmerston Game Fishing Club is gearing up for a massive school holiday break, with the club recently receiving a $40,000 grant to support its mission of helping young Territorians catch their first Barra.
The club, founded in 1991, was awarded the generous grant through the 2023-24 NT Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme which aims to promote angler activities across the Territory.
Ahead of its Junior Angler Education Clinic this month, the club’s president, Darryl Smart, said the $40,000 would go towards helping young Territorians who had a passion for the beloved pastime.
“The Palmerston Game Fishing Club has always been well supported by all levels of government and takes pride in ensuring events such as the Junior Angler Education Clinic continues to provide our junior anglers the opportunity to learn about marine safety, Croc Wise and basic angling tips,” he said.
Mr Smart told the NT News that the club would teach skills beyond fishing, with water safety and flare training also on the program’s agenda.
As for what he enjoyed the most, Mr Smart said he took pride in watching young anglers catch their first fish.
“Of the course the highlight of the day is catching a Barra at the amazing Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm – our aim is 100 kids, 100 fish and 100 smiles.”
Young fisher Ryan ‘Buddy’ Higgs said his passion for chasing a catch had become contagious.
“One my mates asked me if he could come fishing one time because he saw my photos and I said ‘yeah, sure I’ll come on the boat and take you out’,” he said.
“And we took him out and he caught his first (fish).”
The next round of the $500,000 scheme will be awarded in the coming weeks, with Recreational Fishing Minister Joel Bowden encouraging not-for-profit organisations to consider applying.
“Fishing is a way of life for many Territorians and a huge draw card to visitors, contributing $270 million directly and indirectly to the Territory economy each year,” he said.
“These recreational fishing grants will improve recreational fishing opportunities for locals and visitors and I encourage everyone to get out on the water and drop a line.”
The financial boost of recreational fishing clubs follows a separate win for the recreational angler community, after Chief Minister Eva Lawler recently declared gillnets would be banned if re-elected.
Mr Bowden said he backed the Chief Minister’s announcement and maintained the NT government would prioritise recreational fishing.
“We want to see wild caught Barra, which makes up about 5 per cent of the current market, lifting as a premium product and we’re going to farm it as well as catch it,” he said.
“There’s going to be an opportunity for little boutique managed areas and you never know, you might see a specific type of wild Barra into the future.”
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