In 2016 the HookUp beneficiaries are Infofish and Conservation Volunteers Australia. This is the start of a long term partnership to raise awareness of sustainable recreational activities on our beautiful waterways.
Due to Infofish’s recreational fish catch data we know that over the past 10 years of the HookUp the fish sizes caught haven’t decreased and more live fish are weighed in than dead categories. The Conservation Volunteers Australia are also partnering with HookUp to do 2 waste collections and surveys of the Boyne/Tannum area prior to this year’s event and then 2 more after the event to start gathering critical data to understand the impact of recreational boaties on the nearby coastline and take corrective action.
The HookUp has also started a partnership with the Gladstone Area Water Board by releasing hundreds of Barramundi fingerlings into Awoonga Dam. These fish will be catch and release barra in the live brag mat category in years to come.
The new HookUp committee is focused on developing tourism in the Gladstone region while promoting sustainable recreational boating and fishing. Working with industry and business sponsors to help put the Gladstone region on the map for all the right reasons.