Twenty-five schools, 260 entries, $6000 worth of prizes and one weekend to catch as many Tilapia from the Mulgrave River as possible –it’s time again for Aloomba State School’s ‘Tilapia Terminators Fishing Competition’.

Aloomba State School parent and organiser of the competition Sandra Charlton said as a Reef Guardian School, Aloomba made a commitment to protect the environment and clean-up waterways.

“Tilapia, sometimes described as ‘toads with fins’, have become a real pest in the Mulgrave River. They can decimate other fish populations and reduce fish numbers in the river,” Ms Charlton said.

“Last year we held the competition for the first time, and due to its great success, with 250 entrants and 212 tilapia caught, we have decided to run it again this year.

“The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries are going to use the fish caught from the competition to investigate breeding patterns and ageing. Data on catch locations will also be collected to find tilapia 'hotspots'.”

After the success of last year’s ‘Tilapia Terminator Fishing Competition’, Aloomba State School was awarded the prestigious ‘Excellence in Reef Guardianship’ Award from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

The Reef Guardian Schools programme is an important education initiative of the GBRMPA that encourages students and teachers to make a difference to help keep the Great Barrier Reef great for the future.

GBRMPA’s Reef Guardian Schools Programme Manager Megan Sperring said Aloomba State School continued to achieve great results in their projects year after year.

“All our waterways are connected, so by looking after waterways and catchment areas the school is helping to protect the Reef,” Ms Sperring said.

The Tilapia Terminators Fishing Competition will be held this weekend (Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September) and both adults and children can enter into the competition at anytime over the weekend. Entry is only $5 per person and registration forms with rules and maps are available this weekend from Aloomba General Store or the Gordonvale Video Store.

Photo and vision opportunities are available prior to the event at Aloomba State School tomorrow (Friday 15 September) 10:00am – 11:00am or after the event at Aloomba State School on Sunday (17 September) 1:00pm for the final tally of fish numbers and presentations to winners.