The Liberal Government is delivering on its commitments and building on Tasmania's competitive strengths, including our undisputed status as the home of trout fishing in Australia.
The official opening of the 2014-15 trout season today also helps to celebrate this year's 150th anniversary of the introduction of trout to Tasmania.
It was the hard work and ingenuity of Tasmanians that brought trout to this state and later allowed the establishment of fisheries in other states and in New Zealand.
The Liberal Government is proud of Tasmania's trout fishery, and we are pleased to announce today that we are delivering on our commitment of strengthening the Inland Fisheries Service.
By the end of next month, a Fisheries Officer will be based in the North-West to help protect local fisheries for all anglers. Recruitment for the vacant Fisheries Officer position at Liawenee, the centre of our iconic Central Highlands lakes fishery, is also underway. Together these positions will enhance the enforcement capacity for the Inland Fisheries Service across the State.
The Inland Fisheries Service also works to promote this time-honoured sport, and recently has undertaken extensive stocking of adult brown trout with more than 30,000 fish relocated to popular fisheries including Bradys, Four Springs, Penstock, Tooms and Lake Leake.
Significant work has also been undertaken to further develop boating infrastructure on inland lakes and improve ease of access.
Such activities are largely funded by the licence fees collected by anglers, which are reinvested in helping to ensure Tasmania's inland fisheries remain sustainable.
Trout fishing in Tasmania is, of course, not only a great sport enjoyed by thousands of locals; it also attracts anglers from interstate and overseas.
To encourage more Tasmanians to go fishing, all those who purchase a full or five season adult, senior or pensioner angling licence before March 31 will go into the draw to win a new Ford Ranger.
The season is shaping up to be the perfect opportunity for Tasmanian fishers, whether young or old, new or experienced, to get out there and wet a line.
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