Community
12 August, 2021
Fabulous Fishing Fun Day for Douglas kids
A FREE kids activity day at the Mossman Fishing and Boating Club next month will teach the next generation of local anglers how to jag a catch while keeping our fisheries thriving.
Local families are invited to attend the Fishing For the Future with Kids day on Sunday September 12, for a day of fishing, games, prizes, guest speakers and a BBQ.
The fun day will be held at the MFBC clubhouse located near the Newell Beach Boat Ramp.
Douglas Shire Council and the Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) are organising the event to educate children about the importance of sustainable fishing through a fun day of activities and responsible fishing.
Marine Biologist Phil Laycock, who presented at the popular Fishing For The Future workshops earlier this year, will be on hand to teach kids the right way to look after our fishing future.
“Fishing For the Future with Kids is a great opportunity to introduce our children to the fun of fishing and show them right way to do things,” he said.
“Teaching kids to fish is great, but we must also teach them to take care of the fish and environment at the same time because what they do now will affect what they catch in the future.”
The event forms part of a series of initiatives funded by $15,000 grant received through the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Phil urges fishing families to abide by four important rules:
Release all undersize fish with care
Give back to the environment by not littering, and caring for our waterways
Obey fishing and zoning rules
Think about limiting our catch rather than catching our limit
Mossman Fishing and Boating Club Vice President Peter Logan said everyone had a responsibility to educate kids for their fishing future.
“For over 40 years our club has brought the community together and teaching our kids the right way now will make a huge difference,” he said.
“You don’t need to be a keen fisher to enjoy this event – it provides a wonderful opportunity for the whole community to get together with our kids, connect with families and learn some great tips on how to score a catch whilst keeping our fisheries thriving.”
“As a club we want to ensure we are promoting best practise and doing the right things for the environment and community. We have an important role to play in advocating for sustainable fishing practises in our Shire.”
Event Details:
The event will take place on Sunday September 12 at the Mossman Boating and Fishing Clubhouse, Rankin St, Newell Beach from 8am – 1:30pm.
The day will feature reef and estuary fishing, guest speakers, games, prizes, and a BBQ to close the session.
Fishing tackle and bait will be available for those that have no fishing gear.
Registration will open from 6:30am at the venue.
For more information, including how you can get involved as a sponsor or help out on the day, please contact Melissa Mitchell: Ph: 07 4099 9517 or Melissa.mitchell@douglas.qld.gov.au
