LOCAL fishers will soon be asked where the best spots to wet a line in Douglas Shire are.
Douglas Shire Council has reeled in funding to create and install a recreational fishing trail in Douglas Shire and is hoping to hook feedback from the people who fish the waters most.
The project will feature interpretative signage and interactive mapping that identifies public boat launching facilities, jetties, and popular land-based fishing locations.
Signage will also provide fishing best practice, fish care tips, popular fish species and educational material about environmental stewardship.
Council has received funding from the Commonwealth Government which is being administered by the Queensland Fishing Infrastructure Grants Program.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the region offers a wide range of fishing experiences for locals and tourists.
“There are not many places that can offer the diversity of fishing experiences and species that Douglas can,” he said.
“The closeness of the reef means you can fish the blue water for gamefish, catch a barramundi in the estuary and wet a line in the rainforest for jungle perch all in one day.”
“Many people in our community love fishing and we are very keen to get feedback for this project which will help further position Douglas as a premier fishing destination.”
The initiative is a project driven by the Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) and Douglas Shire Council.
Douglas LMAC covers an area from the Bloomfield River in the north to Buchan Point in the south and includes the towns of Daintree Village, Mossman and Port Douglas together with Wangetti and Ellis beaches.
Members of a Recreational Fishing Trail Working Group will be at the Mossman and Port Douglas Markets and hold community workshops. Details are below.
Mossman Markets
Date: Saturday, 22 October 2022
Port Douglas Markets
Date: Sunday, 23 October 2022
Port Douglas Community Hall
Date: Tuesday 25 October 2022
Time: 5:30 -6:30pm
Mossman Boating Fishing Club, Newell Beach
Date: Thursday 27 October 2022
Time: 5:30 – 6:30pm
If you are unable to make any of the above sessions, please send through your ideas and views to: environment@douglas.qld.gov.au