Announced on Thursday, the project will nurture fingerlings—baby fish—at the school’s aquaculture facility, then transfer them to a temporary holding dam to measure growth rates and tag them before they’re released locally to be caught and monitored.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole visited LHS recently to announce the news, a surprise to students and staff alike.

Speaking about the wider initiative, Mr Toole said the program would help improve recreational fishing for locals.

“Fishers can be assured that when they purchase a fishing licence, their money is going straight back into the [Recreational Fishing Trust] to develop projects that will enhance their fishing experience.”

Agriculture teacher at LHS Jon Abbott said the program is looking to engage more than just students taking his subject.

“It will involve recreational fishing for sport, the aquaponics section is part of agriculture, we can use the fish for mark, capture and release exercises in senior biology, growth trials in agriculture, so you’ve got four or five different avenues for a learning experience,” Mr Abbott said.

He also said in future the fish may even be used in the textiles department for cooking, or the business faculty to give students a chance to sell a locally-grown product.

It’s a way to get kids involved with physical activities, and engage other subjects while keeping the costs low as students stay on site at school.

Mr Abbott said he got the idea from a high school in Bathurst that has been running a similar program for more than five years.

“They’re actually at a stage where they’re supplying fish to restaurants.”