Weipa’s Tayla Coleing on a recent trip jigging off the coast.
Cape York fishers are invited to apply for a share of $800,000 in funding on offer under the state government’s fishing grants program, and Indigenous fishing and forestry grants programs.
Minister for Fisheries Mark Furner said the grants programs were helping to build a legacy of sustainable fisheries.
Applications are now open with funding divided between:
- $250,000 for commercial and charter fishing initiatives that aim to address ecological risks and promote sustainable fishing practices.
- $250,000 for recreational initiatives that provide a benefit to recreational or traditional fishing in Queensland.
- $200,0000 for Indigenous-led fisheries and forestry projects in the Cape York region.
- $100,000 for Indigenous-led fisheries projects Queensland-wide.
Commercial and charter applications are open until January 28 and may include trialling alternative or innovative gear, industry modernisation, responsible or sustainable fishing methods or education, sustainable seafood promotion, and promoting mental health initiatives within the commercial fishing community.
Recreational or traditional fishing applications are also open until January 28 and may include projects run by community-based not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs and incorporated associations, and individuals.
In the past, these have included kids’ fishing clinics, social-inclusion fishing and habitat restoration.
Applications under the Indigenous fishing and forestry grants programs are open until January 31, and are aimed at helping Indigenous peoples to have more economic opportunities around fishing and forestry in their own sea and land country.
Funding for the Cape York region will support the development of new and sustainable Indigenous fisheries and forestry pathways, and the Queensland-wide funding will assist Indigenous businesses to purchase assets to scale up seafood production and processing.
“These programs have been increasingly popular each year they have been run, and their benefits are invaluable,” Mr Furner said.
“The grassroots projects these grants support are helping Queenslanders build sustainable fisheries for our children and grandchildren.
“That means good jobs, better services and a significant contribution to Queensland’s great lifestyle.
“I expect there will be a very high level of interest in this year’s funding and I encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recreational fisher groups, commercial and charter groups to apply as soon as possible.”
