3 December, 2002

More businesses onboard to sell fishing permits
Buying a freshwater fishing permit is now even easier with 13 new businesses on board to sell them across the State.

Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) policy officer Anita Wohlsen said most of the new businesses were bait and tackle outlets.

Ms Wohlsen said permits were now also available from the Recreation Area kiosk at Fred Haigh Dam near Gin Gin and the Broken River kiosk at Eungella Dam near Mackay.

“The addition of 13 new businesses makes it even easier for anglers to buy their freshwater fishing permits,” she said.

“There are now about 70 approved outlets in Queensland, and the extended opening hours of these issuing outlets are more convenient for fishers.

“As freshwater fishing grows in popularity we need to make sure the permits are as easy to access as possible to encourage more people to come to regional Queensland to fish.”

Ms Wohlsen said selling permits through local businesses highlighted QFS’ commitment to supporting regional communities and strengthening their economies through freshwater fishing and related activities.

“Small business operators who issue permits do this on a voluntary basis and do not receive commission for providing this service,” she said.

“They recognise the overall economic benefits to the local community through supporting the stocking program in this way.”

Ms Wohlsen said the Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme provided funds to community stocking groups to purchase fish and for other activities aimed at enhancing their local fisheries.

“Stocking groups have already benefited from more than $612,000 raised since the scheme was introduced in July 2000,” Ms Wohlsen said.

“The SIP scheme has proved very effective with more than one million fish stocked in the dams since that time.”

Stocked Impoundment Permits cost $35 a year or $7 for a week and can be purchased at small business outlets near the dams as well as selected Australia Post offices.

They will also soon be available online. For more information on how to get a permit go to www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/10188.html