This Sunday is Gone Fishing Day and Tasmanians are encouraged to pick up a fishing rod and join Australia’s biggest fishing event.
Tasmania has some of the best coastlines, estuaries, rivers and lakes full of a wide range of fish, so I encourage Tasmanians to get outdoors and dangle a line.
Studies show fishing is good for the mind and body and surveys indicate about two thirds of recreational fishers say relaxing in the outdoors with family and friends are among the most important reasons for fishing.
Gone Fishing Day is for anyone to have a go at fishing with the family or a mate, even if you’ve never fished before.
We also know that anglers and their families predominantly spend money in regional Tasmania and that is good for the economy and good for jobs.
Gone Fishing events supported by Fishcare Tasmania are being held statewide including:
I remind recreational fishers of the need to fish responsibly and sustainably.
Information on the rules and fishing responsibly are readily available from the DPIPWE’s website, The Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and literally at your fingertips with the Tas Fish Guide phone app.
Fishers for abalone, rock lobster and using nets and set lines are reminded to renew their licences ahead of the start of the new recreational sea fishing licensing year on Tuesday, 1 November 2016.
The recreational rock lobster season opens on Saturday, 5 November in the Western Region. The Eastern Region opening is scheduled for Saturday, 19 November, however, fishers should check the open/closed status of biotoxin zones prior to buying a licence and going fishing.
Trout fishing is also hugely popular in Tasmania and recent rains have replenished our lakes and rivers with reports of well-conditioned trout coming to the net. Anglers are reminded that October 30 is also free state-wide Junior Anglers Day for under-17 year olds. More information at www.ifs.tas.gov.au .
Find out more about National Gone Fishing Day and how to get involved at: www.gonefishingday.org or at www.Facebook.com/gonefishingday.
Fishers wanting to keep up with the latest fisheries management news and season updates can follow Fisheries Tasmania on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/FisheriesTasmania.
Recreational fishing licences for abalone, rock lobster, scallops, nets and set lines are available from Service Tasmania and online at: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence.
Recreational fishing information can be found in the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide which is available from Service Tasmania and tackle shops and online at:
www.fishing.tas.gov.au/recguide.
Tas Fish Guide can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android. More information at: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/phoneapp
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