#fishtok Meet-Up

#fishtok Meet-Up

The Hon. EMILY SUVAAL ( 11:30 : 40 ): My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Agriculture. Will the Minister inform the House about Australia's first #FishTok meet-up, and how the New South Wales Government continues to support young people in recreational fishing?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Wes Fang will cease interjecting.

The Hon. TARA MORIARTY (Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, and Minister for Western New South Wales) ( 11:3 1 : 02 ): I appreciate the very good question. On Thursday 10 July I joined TikTok Australia fishing influencer, Shroom, and more than 160 teenagers and their families to host the first‑of‑its‑kind—a #FishTok meet‑up. The event was a New South Wales Government and TikTok push to get more teenagers outdoors and teach them the best techniques to tie a knot, drop a line and get involved in fishing. We held the event to catch up with the new craze—mostly involving teenage boys—for fishing. The phenomenon is being driven by new and growing social media communities, particularly on TikTok. #FishTok is a thriving community with more than 10 million fishing videos, featuring everything from fishing tips and techniques to favourite fishing spots and species. It is huge. Opposition members are tutting about it, but young people across New South Wales and Australia are obsessed with #FishTok.

The Government is supporting young people to get more involved with fishing and enjoy the great outdoors. Thirty fishing rods were given away to lucky teens on the day by Fishcare volunteers—who do great work in New South Wales—and staff from the department, aiming to further fuel the passion for fishing. However, the Government is not just supporting one‑off events; it is also promoting fishing in schools across New South Wales. We have recently expanded the highly successful primary school fishing education program Get Hooked—

The Hon. Sarah Mitchell: That started under us.

The Hon. TARA MORIARTY: No, it started under the Labor Government led by Morris Iemma, and we have expanded Get Hooked into high schools to inspire the next generation of fishers. The Get Hooked school program is all about mentoring students to embrace sustainable fishing and be the future custodians of our waterways and aquatic life. This year the department had 113 primary schools register, involving 6,336 students across New South Wales. That is also huge. Young people are very enthusiastic about enjoying the great outdoors, getting involved in fishing, forming networks and friendships with each other, learning and sharing tips about fishing, and also learning more about science, biology and our waterways—all the things that come with learning about sustainable fishing in New South Wales. Schools can register for the free program to receive a free fishing resource kit with fun lesson plans linked to the school curriculum. The program teaches the basic skills needed for recreational fishing to help spark a lifelong interest. The program is hugely successful and very popular amongst young people, parents and schools across the State.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call the Hon. Robert Borsak, I welcome visitors from NSW Treasury in the public gallery who are visiting Parliament as part of the public servant program. They are most welcome.