Fishing leaders workshop looks to the future

TWELVE future recreational fishing leaders recently attended a joint QLD/NSW workshop at North Keppel Island. The aim of the workshop was to hone leadership skills and improve the young leaders' understanding of fisheries management.

The four-­day course drew together a diverse range of fishers who were identified as
potential future leaders within the rec fishing community. The future leaders worked
alongside one another and were supported by several experienced industry mentors.

The group identified positioning of the recreational fishing sector within the political and
social landscape, habitat management and allocation of resources as the three big issues
facing the sector. The group committed to developing strategies to address these
issues.

Workshop participant Nathan Johnston from Rockhampton, a member of the Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club, said: "This was a strategic step forward for me and nothing could prepare us for the wealth of knowledge gleaned from our mentors who have spent many years working to advance the cause of recreational fishing."