July 17, 2019
Shepparton’s new native fish hatchery will support Indigenous employment by employing Indigenous people for up to half of the workforce. The Indigenous employment program was announced by Minister for Fishing and Boating, Jaala Pulford.
The hatchery is expected to employ up to 12 staff once operational. This diverse workforce will provide roles for Indigenous people who are keen to start a career in fish farming while using their connection with land and fish within their career. It will also provide more jobs for young people around Shepparton.
To assist the interested candidates, the Victorian Fisheries Authority will partner with Melbourne Polytechnic and Deakin University to provide education, training and development opportunities. Upon completion, students will graduate with a Diploma of Applied Science, majoring in aquaculture (fishing farming). The details of the course will be finalised later this year.
Construction of the new native fish hatchery is expected to begin next year as the Victorian Fisheries Authority are still searching for a suitable site. The completion of the hatchery is predicted by 2022.
The new $7-million native fish hatchery is a key commitment from the State Government’s Target One Million plan to get more people fishing, more often. The plan also committed to increasing fish stocking to 10 million fish annually by 2022.
More information about the Indigenous Employment Program can be found here.
More information about the new hatchery can be found here.
