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 on Monday 15th April in the Beachport Recreation Centre.

Council’s Acting Manager Community & Development, 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. “Council extends a huge thank you to the Beachport Lions Club volunteers for their tremendous support providing information at the workshop stations,” she added.

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 couldn’t 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.”

The presentations were held on Tuesday 23rd April 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 are no prizes for catching the ‘most’ fish. This competition is based on fish species and the size limits must be adhered to.

The 2024 prize winners were:

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

Thank you once again to the sponsors who, without their support, the Junior Fishing Competition would not be possible:

• Beachport Bowling Club
• Beachport District Development Association
• Beachport Hotel
• Beachport Rivoli Bay Lions Club
• Ducky’s Surf
• The Lobster Pot / Limestone Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative Limited
• Primary Industries and Resources SA
• Rivoli Bay Deli
• Smyth Electrical & Airconditioning
• Southend Progress Association
• Southend Shop
• Spot on Fishing Tackle and Outdoors
• Surf n Dirt

For further information on this release please contact:

Suzanne Judd, Acting Manager Community & Development
Email:                       council@wattlerange.sa.gov.au
Telephone:                (08) 8733 0900