Recreational fishing representative organisations

Recfish Australia (Recfish)
Formed in 1983, Recfish is the peak national body for recreational and sport fishing in Australia. Its mission is to act with ‘One voice promoting sustainable fishing and representing recreational fishers at a national level.’ Its members are:

AFANT (Amateur Fishermen’s Association of Northern Territory)
NSWACoRF (New South Wales Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing)
Recfishwest, (Western Australian Recreational & Sportfishing Council)
TARFish (Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing)
VRFish (Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body)
ANSA (Australian National Sportfishing Association)
AUF (Australian Underwater Federation – Spearfishing Commission)

In the past partial funding for Recfish has been provided by the Federal government but the current Federal Labor government discontinued that funding, so Recfish operates on limited remaining funds. The Recfish board meets quarterly or more often if necessary and an Annual General Meeting and Conference is held each year. Recfish Australia is responsible for several national initiatives including the National Code of Practice for Recreational and Sportfishing, the National Environmental Assessment of Fishing Tournaments (NeatFish) and Recfishing Research – a joint initiative between the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Recfish Australia to identify areas for research, development and extension for recreational fishing. Recfish Australia has been very instrumental in dealing with national priorities such as marine protected areas and the involvement of recreational fishers; review of shark and threatened species recovery plans and management of Commonwealth fisheries. Recfish Australia generally does not get involved in state matters unless requested by their state member organisations. The website is www.recfish.com.au.

Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy Advisory Committee
In 2007 the Federal Labor government announced the formation of the Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy (RFIDS) Advisory Committee with a $2 million dollar budget to develop a national strategy for recreational fishing. The Committee has 10 members appointed by the government, chosen from people nominated from within the recreational fishing sector.

The strategy will provide opportunities for the recreational fishing industry to: advise the minister on the review of the 1994 National Recreational Fishing Policy and the development of the RFIDS; advise the minister on specific initiatives that encourage the promotion of sustainable fishing, education and awareness for children and angler communities, together with best practice environmental standards for recreational fishing; work closely with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation to invest in leadership training and education and awareness campaigns for the recreational fishing industry.
More information is available at http://www.daff.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/rfids

Government and agencies

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)
Recreational fishing in Australia is mostly governed by the States, not the Commonwealth. In NSW that means the NSW DPI, the department previously known as NSW Fisheries, which is responsible for commercial, aquaculture, recreational saltwater and freshwater fishing as well as habitat and species protection. This department works closely with major recreational fishing groups. DPI has the responsibility of ensuring compliance with various fishing and environmental laws. Website is www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

NSW Advisory Council on Recreational Fishing (ACoRF)
A council appointed by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries to provide advice on recreational fishing and expenditure from the recreational fishing trusts. Committee vacancies are advertised and the Minister selects members according to their experience and connections in the recreational fishing scene, with a view to having a wide range of fishing types and areas represented. ACoRF is also the NSW member of the national body, Recfish Australia. ACoRF usually meets three times a year. Website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee/trusts

Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee (RFFTEC) and Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee (RFSTEC)
Two advisory committees appointed by the Minister for Primary Industries to provide advice on priorities for expenditure from the trusts that hold the income from angling licences. The trusts are an extension of ACoRF but are made up of different members. The trusts’ advice is handed up to ACoRF before it goes to the Minister. Vacancies are advertised and the Minister selects members according to their experience and connections. The Trust Expenditure Committees usually meet three times a year. Websites www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee/trusts/rfftec/about-rfftec and www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee/trusts/rfstec/about-rfstec
Also see reports at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee/trusts/trust-fund-reports

Trout Allocation Committee
A NSW DPI administered committee made up of representatives of the NSW DPI and delegates nominated by each of the trout acclimatisation societies. The NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers also has a seat on this committee. Meets annually to plan trout stocking strategies.

Snowy Lakes Strategy Committee
A NSW DPI administered committee made up of representatives of the NSW DPI, the trout acclimatisation societies, NSW CFA, Snowy Hydro, local chambers of commerce and local shire councils and the local fishing businesses and media. The Committee usually meets annually to plan trout stocking strategies in the Snowy Mountains Lakes of Jindabyne, Eucumbene and Tantangara. The Committee has been successful in developing an effective stocking regime based on scientific surveys and advice from anglers, leading to noticeable improvements in lake fishing in the region.