Another successful Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition has been held with winners announced at a presentation held in Beachport.
Over 150 people under the age of 17 participated in the fourth consecutive Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition in the April school holidays.
The six day competition at the Beachport and Southend Jetties is the largest land-based junior fishing competition for school aged children in Australia.
It is a fun competition suitable for both the serious youth angler and those who have never fished before.
The aim of the competition is to provide a fun event to grow interest and skill in sustainable fishing practices whilst enjoying the local, natural environments of Southend and Beachport.
The 2024 competition kicked off with a workshop held in the Beachport Recreation Centre.
Council’s Community and Development acting manager Suzanne Judd was impressed with participation numbers.
“Over 110 young people attended to learn tips and tricks about fishing, such as baiting a hook, tying a knot, and identifying fish species,” she said.
“Wattle Range Council extends a huge thank you to the Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club volunteers for their tremendous support providing information at the workshop stations.”
Each competition participant received the tools to fish at no cost which included a fishing rod, tackle box, measuring stick and whiting rig, made possible through generous local sponsorship.
Ms Judd went on to thank the local community who greatly assisted in making the event possible.
“Whether it be through financial donations, supplying fishing tools, competition prizes, providing venues, sharing local knowledge and so much more, we could not do it without them,” she said.
The Ocean Earth Foundation also joined in, conducting their ‘Yabby Trap Round Up’ on the same day as the workshop.
The group had in excess of 250 opera style yabby pots swapped for the regulation pyramid style nets and reported one of their most successful round ups to date.
“We would also like to acknowledge the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other patient adults who time after time took their junior anglers out in all-weather to fish, making memories that last a lifetime,” Ms Judd said.
The presentations were held at the Beachport Bowling Club.
This year’s winners were announced and trophies awarded for winner, runner up, meritorious, fun photo plus workshop and sponsors shopping prizes.
Because the competition supports sustainable fishing and encourages catch and release practices there were no prizes for catching the ‘most’ fish.
This competition is based on fish species and the size limits must be adhered to.
2024 PRIZE WINNERS
The Wobbegongs (6 years and under): Winner – Asher Sullivan, 30cm Mullet; Runner Up – Townes Campbell, 26cm Tommy Ruff; Meritorious – Lyla Allen, 25cm Salmon; Meritorious – Hazel Bellin, 22cm Tommy Ruff.
The Tigers (7-11 years); Winner – Mazi Hales, <1M Skate; Runner up - Henly Scott, 37cm Baracoota; Meritorious - Kobe Skeer, 29cm Mullet.
The Great Whites (12-17 years); Winner – Leni Clifford, <1M Skate; Runner up - Zarli Gronn, 47cm Baracoota; Meritorious - Cooper Walters, 14cm Ornate Cowfish; Open Shark Category: Winner - Leni Clifford, 85cm Port Jackson Shark Beachport Jetty.
Fun Photo Winners: Lettie Gronn, Nathaniel and Morgan Aberle; Workshop Passport Prize: Henly Scott; Sponsorship Stamp Prize: Bobby Campbell.
