A family fun fishing day offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond simply catching fish.
It provides a holistic experience that promotes bonding, education and health.
It is a popular, low-impact, environmentally-focused and accessible activity that connects multiple generations --- young anglers and their significant others --- with nature.
An event such as this also offers the opportunity for NGOs, industry and government to collaborate:
- Rotary will manage and coordinate the event with its partners.
- Infofish Australia will support anglers through its 'Track My Fish' digital platform and mobile app, regularly used to manage the participation of anglers in catch-and-release fishing tournaments in Australia.
- Anglers will update catch-data using the app.
- Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) will monitor the catch, tag and release of native fish.
- Rotary and its partners will monitor the catch and dispatch of invasive species such as Tilapia and Carp.
- Seqwater, the owner of Lake Samsonvale and its surrounding foreshores has granted permission to hold the event.
PRIZES
Prizes will be offered to individuals and groups consistent with Scout Age Brackets:
- Joey Scouts: Ages 5 to 7
- Rover Scouts: Ages 18 to 25
- Cub Scouts: Ages 8 to 11
- Scouts: Ages 11 to 14
- Venturer Scouts: Ages 15 to 17
Quotes attributed to Hayden Ferguson, Principal Policy Officer - Pest Fish, Department of Primary Industries
- This initiative provides a valuable opportunity to engage the community in positive outdoor recreation while fostering a deeper understanding of our aquatic environments.
- The event will promote environmental awareness and appreciation of native fish species, highlighting their important role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.
- It will also provide education on the impacts of established pest fish species, including the importance of their removal and responsible management.
- By combining community participation with practical environmental education, this event delivers meaningful social and ecological benefits.
- It is an excellent example of grassroots engagement that supports both conservation outcomes and community wellbeing.
Pest Fishing events occur through southeast Qld in the Summer months each year. Here is just one example.
The Charlton's Pest Fishing Competition is an annual community event held at Springfield Lakes, QLD.
It is aimed at catching invasive fish like tilapia to help the local environment.
Here are some photographs taken at the event in 2024:
Anglers taking up positions along lake shoreline.
Members of the Brisbane Valley Anglers Fishstocking Association ready to record the details of native fish caught.
Counting, measuring and tagging native fish before they are released.
An angler who caught a pest fish.
Pest fishing contractor counting, weighing and measuring fish to see who will win the prizes on offer.