WANT to know how to catch more fish? Have you ever wondered why you catch the fish where you do? Now you can find out how and why – from your local fishing tackle shop.
Bait and tackle stores are an integral part of the recreational fishing community and have an important role to play in ensuring the ongoing sustainability and productivity of local fisheries. Tackle stores are also a good source of information for fishers, not just what tackle works best, but also what fish are biting and where their chances are greatest for getting a fish.
For this reason the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) and Fisheries NSW have joined forces in a new Environmental Trust funded project to help fishing tackle stores provide fish habitat information to their customers.
Through this project tackle stores will be able to have constructive and informative interaction with their recreational fishing customers about how their catch can be increased if they look after fish habitat and get involved in improving it.
Fisheries NSW Conservation Manager, Scott Nichols said, “It’s about getting the message out about how fishing opportunities can be improved if fish habitat is improved. It’s simple: more habitat means more fish.”
“Tackle shops are places where fishers go to get fishing products and reliable fish related information, so it makes sense to provide information on how habitat helps fishers to improve their chances of a catch”.
This project provides tackle stores with a hands-on process, supported by web-based resources that can be accessed as required, that will improve their capacity to have habitat related conversations with their recreational fishing clients.
The pilot will be focused in tackle stores around Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie. For more information on how to get involved contact the AFTA Office on 02 6282 8500 or email: alice.loganedwards@afta.net.au
