29 May, 2009

Reef Guardian students from Belgian Gardens State School are holding a catch and release fishing classic to improve awareness of responsible fishing practices and to raise money for sea turtle research.

The Rowes Bay Junior Rangers, the school’s year six environmental group, will be hosting the fishing classic which will be attended by 130 students and their families.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Reef Guardian Schools Coordinator, Megan Sperring, said the event was a great way for students to show how helping the environment can be fun.

“The classic is an annual event for the school and always results in a great day out filled with fun environmental education and shows that fishing can be enjoyed responsibly and sustainably within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”

Organising teacher Mr Brett Murphy said the students had a variety of jobs on the day such as running displays, assisting weigh-in judges, taking photos, presenting prizes at the end of the day, preparing hooks and making sure that fish are returned to the water unharmed.

“This activity is being held as part of Education Week because we believe it is a great illustration of the education partnership between schools government, local businesses and the community.

“All the prizes have been donated by local businesses in response to letters written by our students.

“We’ve certainly been doing a lot of educational preparation leading up to this event with representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries coming to speak to us about fisheries management and species identification.

“The students have learned how to safely catch, handle and release fish and we are excited that representatives from GBRMPA and NQ Dry Tropics as well as community members will be joining us at the event.

“We’ve even heard there may be a special guest appearance by Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell and Reef HQ Aquarium’s Lucky T Turtle to thank the students for raising money for turtles.”

Fishing will occur on the foreshore from the mouth of Mundy Creek to the mangroves of Soroptomist Park and participants will be able to view displays by the Rowes Bay Junior Rangers, Reef Guardian Schools (GBRMPA) and the Sea Turtle Foundation.

The cost to participate in the event is a gold coin donation which goes toward sea turtle research.

What?  Belgian Gardens State School Catch and Release Fishing Classic

When?  Sunday 31 May, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

(Presentation of prizes and viewing of displays 5:00 – 5:45 pm)

Where?  Rowes Bay - Soroptomist Park foreshore