With the current pressures on domestic cost of living, AFTA has called for a meaningful reduction in licence fees collected from the recreational fishing sector in Western Australia as a policy commitment for the next election.

It is abundantly clear that Western Australia is over-regulated and has become a red tape nightmare with recreational fishing licences required for:

  • Recreational Boat Fishing Licence: $40.00
  • Rock Lobster Licence: $40.00
  • Abalone Licence: $50.00
  • Marron Licence: $50.00
  • Freshwater Fishing Licence: $50.00
  • Net Fishing Licence: $50.00

This could amount to as much as $280 per annum per person and, worse still, for a family that fishes.  In addition, the costs of boat registration are between $154.85 and $964.35.  For many, this is just unaffordable as they seek to prioritise their budget just to get by.

The Government & Opposition must understand that people engage in recreational fishing not only as a pastime but also as a means of gathering food, addressing mental health issues and for social engagement.

AFTA recommend a single fishing license to cover all types of recreational fishing.  This would reduce the compliance and administration costs to the government, help eliminate unlicensed sector fishing and, if priced correctly, reduce the cost of living for anglers.

The triple bottom line is that economic, environmental, and social impact issues must be taken into consideration with fees, and our sector must not be seen as a cash cow for the government!

So AFTA asks all politicians and candidates ahead of the election: Will you and your party commit to restructuring recreational fishing licences and reducing licence fees to bring downward pressure on participation costs?

BACKGROUND:

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) serves as the national peak body representing Australia’s recreational fishing industry. Our membership encompasses all facets of recreational fishing, including manufacturers, wholesale distributors, retail stores, media outlets, and charter operations, thereby connecting us to every recreational fishing participant.

The Western Australian recreational fishing trade comprises 30 remaining independent tackle stores, 19 BCF stores, 12 Anaconda Stores, 14 wholesalers, agency representatives, numerous service station outlets, holiday parks selling bait and tackle, 39 KMART, and 17 Big W retail outlets, as well as 62 Fishing Charter operators.

In Western Australia, in 2017 approximately 25.8% of adults, equating to 529,400 individuals, (current 2024 estimate >750,000) engage in fishing at least once a year. This participation rate surpasses the Australian average of 21.4%. Fishing participation is higher than average among both men and women in WA, with 30.4% of men fishing compared to 25.3% nationwide and 21.9% of women fishing compared to 17.8% nationwide. Moreover, participation is elevated among residents of major cities (22.4% in WA versus 18.0% nationwide) and regional areas (38.3% in WA versus 29.9% nationwide).

These statistics underscore the robust recreational fishing culture in Western Australia and highlight higher female participation rates compared to other regions of Australia.[1]

In 2018-19, there were 28.6 million fishing events in WA, with 93.9% of fishers engaging in saltwater fishing and 70.1% fishing in estuaries at least once annually. Freshwater fishing was less prevalent, with 46.9% participating compared to 63.1% nationally. Recreational fishing, including activities by both residents and visitors, contributed an estimated $1.15 billion to the state economy in 2019-20 and supported 9,380 full-time equivalent jobs. This included $709 million and 5,387 jobs in Perth and $437 million and 3,993 jobs in regional WA.

Much of this economic activity stems from indirect contributions generated by fishing, such as spending on supplies, wages, and salaries of those directly employed in the sector. In WA, fishing directly created 4,513 jobs in 2019-20 in areas like charter fishing, equipment sales, and accommodations. Additionally, this direct activity spurred further economic contributions, generating another 4,867 jobs through demand for supplies and spending by employees.

Recreational fishing facilitates economic flows from urban centres to rural areas. Notably, 42.3% of the $437 million economic activity in regional WA was generated by city residents, reflecting expenditures during fishing trips and underscoring fishing’s role in stimulating regional economies.

While a significant portion of WA’s recreational fishing economic impact comes from local residents, a considerable amount is due to interstate visitors and purchases from WA vendors. Overall, 72.5% of the economic contribution is from local fishers, with the remaining 27.5% from interstate visitors and out-of-state purchases.[2]

The recreational fishing sector, characterised by its diversity and dynamism, faces numerous challenges and opportunities, over the next four years, policy development must be guided by clear objectives, strategies, actions, and inclusive, peer-reviewed science. Effective development plans require input from our community, industry partners, organisations, and tourism operators. A thriving recreational fishing sector depends on great fishing experiences, which are influenced by several policy settings and investment decisions.

[1] Source: FRDC Social & Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2018-21

[2]  Source: FRDC Social & Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2018-21