Anglers clean up local waterways in Victoria

by Department of Primary Industries VIC on 1 Oct 2010 Recreational anglers and community groups across the state joined forces and volunteered part of their weekend to clean up local rivers and lakes of Victoria.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, within the Department of Primary Industries Anthony Hurst said more than 140 volunteers from 12 organisations participated in the inaugural Clean a Stream Day on Sunday September 26.

'It is terrific to see anglers coming together to care for the environment which gives them and their families so much fishing enjoyment,' Mr Hurst said. 'Litter collected from waterways and surrounds included general rubbish such as bottles, cans and fast food packaging, as well as some line and bait containers.

Volunteers also removed some undesirable items including shopping trolleys, exercise bikes, prams, car batteries and a number of tennis balls.

Angling clubs involved were:
• Port Albert Angling Club at the Albert River
• Rochester And District Angling Club at the Campaspe River
• Terang Angling Club at Mt Emu Creek
• Bendigo District Fly Fishers at Kennington Reservoir
• Ballarat Fly Fishers Club at Yarrowee Creek, Sebastopol
• Warrnambool Offshore Angling Club at the Merri River
• Werribee South Fishing Club at the Werribee River
• Kananook Creek Association at Kananook Creek, Frankston
• Australia New Guinea Fishes Association at Dandenong Creek.

Recent flooding throughout south western Victoria meant clean up events planned for Mt Emu Creek and Merri River had to be postponed, but these will take place in the future.

Each of these groups received grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to assist with clean up activities such as the purchase of gloves, garbage bags, bin hire and tip fees.

Clean a Stream Day was part of the Victorian Government’s $13.5 million Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program. The program also includes installing fish cleaning tables around the state, building a new native fish hatchery, increasing stocking by 30 per cent and expanding education programs through the Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff.

For more information on the Clean a Stream Day and the Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program go to: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/enhancedfishing