AFTA Chair’s Report – AGM 2024

For an industry that employs over 100,000 people, serving the needs of nearly 5 million rec fishers and generating more than $11b for our nation’s economy, the past 12 months have been nothing short of challenging for AFTA members.   More bans, increased restrictions, and legislative changes impact our industry’s ability to conduct business to maintain those numbers. However, in saying that, AFTA has achieved some solid outcomes this past year across a number of states, but it is only with consistent effort and your support that we, as an industry, battle with those who wish to restrict our rights to fish, and even more so when the very science they rely on is fundamentally flawed.

Minimum government interference is what is best for business; the additional burdens placed by unnecessary intervention and legislation are what take us away from doing what we do best, and that is driving and maintaining a sustainable and profitable recreational fishing industry.

In the coming weeks, there will be elections in the Northern Territory (the 24th of August 24), ACT (the 19th of October 24) and Queensland (the 26th of October 24), and whilst these occur after the 2024 AFTA Trade Show & AGM, be reassured that AFTA has done the groundwork, the research and made personal representations on issues vital to our industry.   In 2025, there will be elections in Western Australia (the 5th of March 2025) and the Federal election at any time, but most likely after May 2025.

So, what is our industry’s primary objective?

It is essential to understand what our industry’s mission is. Our objective is best defined as promoting, engaging, and educating more people, particularly families, females, and young people, toward recreational fishing.

Success at the till directly correlates to people’s desire to belong, engage, share, and experience the outdoors. Remember that for those pursuing our sport as a relaxing recreation, catching fish is an absolute bonus, and sharing memories and time is critical.

The 2023/24 AFTA Board:

Michael Starkey – President – Frogleys Offshore
Billy Parsons – Vice President – JM Gillies
Ben Scales – Treasurer & Secretary – Jarvis Walker
Kord Luckus – Wilson Fishing
Greg Seeto – Daiwa Australia
Steve Morgan – Fishing Monthly Group
Alicia Bolitho – Tackle World
Jarrod Day – Compleat Angler
Cameron Jackson – BCF

AFTA Board Meetings:

In the past year, AFTA has held the following formal & informal board meetings:

September 13th – Teams
October 18th – Sydney
December 8th – Teams
April 3rd 2024 – Teams
May 22nd – Brisbane

In addition, there have been various ad-hoc meetings with Fishery Ministers Mark Furner (Qld), Joel Bowden (NT), Steve Dimopoulos (Vic), Tara Moriarty (NSW), Eric Abetz (TAS) & Senator Murray Watt (Federal), all meetings were well attended by directors.

For reports on these meetings and more, please take the time to read my previous monthly Chair Reports at https://afta.net.au/presidents-and-political-reports/

I sincerely thank all AFTA board members for their input, be it at board meetings or working on the numerous issues we, as an association, have been addressing throughout the year; their personal input and advice at all levels have been invaluable.

It is without doubt that if not for the dedication and tireless work effort from our West Australian AFTA members Tim Farnell, Brian Marshall (Compleat Angler Nedlands) and Ash & Julie Ramm (TackleWorld Miami), on the WA Demersal Fishery, Marine Parks and Offshore Windfarms issues our Western Australian industry would be in a much worse position.

Offshore Windfarms

Part of the 2000-strong crowd at the Port Stephens protest rally

Whether it is the sea we fish in or the air we breathe, we all want to see a much cleaner and healthier environment. Members may have differing opinions on the Government’s push towards Net Zero Emissions, but all are unified in opposition to offshore wind farms and the detrimental impacts on marine life, fishing, shipping, tourism, and aviation and as such to our industry.

Issues such as area exclusion zones, noise generation and electromagnetic impulses that affect migration patterns of fish, mammals and sea birds are not issues to be taken lightly.

AFTA responded to the call for submissions by the Commonwealth government on the rollout of proposed Offshore wind farm leases around Australia.

AFTA congratulates the SA Governments stance in ruling out Offshore Wind Farms in SA, recognising the impact on marine life and the fisheries sector.

Please continue to monitor the AFTA website for impact statements and progress.

Offshore Wind Farm Site Update:

The Federal Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, has now declared and approved four of the six intended Offshore Wind Farms.

Gippsland (VIC)                       15000 km^2,      approved 19th December 2022

Southern Ocean (VIC)            1030 km^2,        approved the 6th of March 2024

Hunter (NSW)                          1854 km²           approved the 12th of July 2023

Illawarra (NSW)                      1022 km^2,         approved 15th June 2024

Bass Straight (TAS)                10136 km^2,         proposed

Bunbury (WA)                         7674 km^2,         proposed

In NSW alone, that amounts to 2876 km² of the most productive prime pelagic tournament fishing grounds, not to mention the impact on those that deep drop or deep jig for other species. These prime locations will impact not only recreational & commercial fishers but also broader marine life and the tourism market.

A significant issue for recreational fishers in all these areas is the proposed exclusion zones, currently being indicated as 1.5klm from any structure or cable. Whilst these structures will be a FAD, if recfishers cannot access the structure, it will be to the absolute detriment of recfishers.

To understand the impacts of windfarm zone overlays, the Hunter Offshore Windfarm Zone was plotted using the tag data from the NSW DPI game fish tagging program. There were 13,105 Marlin Tags recorded between 2004 – 2024, noting that most dots have multiple tags recorded at one location, and this does not include marlin that was captured or not tagged as a part of the program. Source: NSW DPI

Please click here for the submission AFTA made on behalf of our members to the Senate inquiry into the offshore wind industry consultation.

AFTA will continue to work on this issue with our local AFTA Ambassadors, providing data, information & support as we seek the best outcome for recreational fishers.

Knife Sale Restrictions – not just Qld, but soon to be rolled out nationally

The Qld government introduced new legislation around selling knives to minors (under 18 years), effective from the 1st of September 2024. This included the classification of knives and control requirements for each classification.

Qld Retailers must familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Qld Legislation.

AFTA Members, both wholesale and retail, need to be aware that under these new laws:

• It will become an offence to sell knives and other weapons to minors (under 18yo)
• It will become an offence to use false identification to purchase these weapons.
• It will become an offence to advertise weapons as ‘suitable for combat’.
• Retailers will be required to securely store particular weapons prior to sale.
• Retailers will be required to display signage regarding age restrictions for sales.

In addition, minimum Staff Training & Record Keeping requirements must be adhered to.

All staff must be instructed and warned that it is illegal to sell a controlled or restricted item to a minor; staff must acknowledge this in writing, and records must be kept even after the employee has left employment as per the Act.

There are information sessions available; click here to register. In addition, there is a Qld Police Q&A to assist members in making informed decisions.

With the increased spate of knife attacks and assaults, retailers across Australia should prepare for this age-based sales restriction to be rolled out across Australia.

Northern Territory

Hon. Joel Bowden with Bob Baldwin

Following on from listening to our NT AFTA members’ concerns, AFTA invested a lot of time and money lobbying Territory politicians to remove the 14 barramundi gill net licenses in the Northern Territory.

The recently announced proposed reduced quotas in February 2024 did nothing to stop the indiscriminate bycatch and impacts on both our industry and the environment.

On the 9th of February, AFTA launched a direct action campaign, meeting with all NT members at their shops (https://afta.net.au/afta-call-for-an-end-to-commercial-gill-net-fishing-in-the-territory/) and then at meetings held in Darwin with both Recreational Fishing Minister, Joel Bowden (ALP) and Shadow Minister Gerard Maley (CLP) to discuss the negative impacts of gill nets on fish stocks and marine life. It was beneficial to demonstrate the benefits of the Qld Government gill net buybacks.

It is essential to recognise the importance of Barramundi fishing to the NT tourism mix. Congratulations must go out on the $1m Barra capture in Katherine, which will only drive increased visitation and participation next season.

Queensland

With the Qld election due on the 26th of October, AFTA has released its Qld Election Policy Manifesto for all parties to consider and for recreational fishers to determine which party has their best interest at heart concerning policy decisions for the next four years.

Whilst some government decisions have fallen short, such as the Spanish Mackerel closures and bag limits, AFTA has always felt our voice has been heard and considered.

The decision to close out gill nets on both the East Coast and Gulf region is a positive move in the right direction for the recreational fishing industry and the environment.

We wish Minister Mark Furner well. Mark Furner has always been approachable and listens to sound arguments in our dealings. Through this, AFTA has been able to mitigate the impacts of any negative decisions.

The tireless on-the-ground advocacy by AFTA Qld board member Kord Luckus (Wilson Fishing) has been instrumental in achieving the outcomes to date, and for that, I sincerely thank him.

Left to Right Murray Watt (QLD Senator & Federal Minister for Fisheries), Former AFTA Director, Mitch Birt (Pure Fishing), QLD AFTA Director Kord Luckus (Wilson Fishing), Mark Furner MP (QLD Minister for Fisheries), AFTA President Michael Starkey (Frogley’s Offshore), and AFTA Patron & Immediate Past President Col Tannahill (Shimano) at dinner in Brisbane May 3rd, 2024.

Victoria

(L to R) Steve Threlfall, Hon. Bob Baldwin, Minister Steve Dimopoulos, Billy Parsons, Ben Scales.

With the appointment of a new Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, came a new Fisheries Minister, Steve Dimopoulous, as Minister for Outdoor Recreation. AFTA took the opportunity to meet with Steve Dimopoulos and check the progress of the government’s election commitments. We are happy to report that significant progress is being made. Click here for details: https://afta.net.au/victorian-fisheries-authority-election-commitments/

This year, a significant issue has been proposed amendments to the Animal Care and Protection Bill and fishing activities related to Division 8 of Part 5. AFTA appreciated Minister Dimopoulos’s personal support in securing a positive result on proposed legislative changes to the Animal Care and Protection Bill. Minister Dimopoulos has ensured Part 5 will carry an exception for recreational fishing across the whole of Part 5, and Part 4 will have an extra ‘rec fishing’ exception inserted to fully cover tagging and lobster marking.

AFTA Victorian Directors Billy Parsons (JM Gillies) & Ben Scales (Jarvis Walker), along with AFTA Ambassador Steve “Trelly” Threlfall, have been at the forefront of this issue and a deal of many other matters. This is an excellent outcome for all.

New South Wales

Hon. Bob Baldwin meeting with Hon. Tara Moriarty

There have been a number of issues of concern as well as positive outcomes in NSW this year.

The 12-month Blue Grouper ban set the industry reeling as it was made without consultation prior to making the decision. Following on from a meeting with Minister Tara Moriarty, a 12-month consultation and policy planning began on developing a sustainable plan going forward.

The government support for the AFTA NSW “Let’s Go Fishing” Schools program and the “Let’s Fish NSW” media program funded in part by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust has again been well received.

AFTA, through Past President Col Tanahill (Shimano Australia) has been instrumental in assisting in developing and reviewing the best funding and governance models to establish the promised statutory Recreational Fishing industry body – RecFishNSW with a role to ensure that representation is fair, expert-based, independent and, in part, elected by recreational fishing licensees.

Tasmania

AFTA welcome the appointment of Eric Abetz as the Tasmanian Minister responsible for recreational fishing.

AFTA recently met with Minister Abetz at Wigston Lures, Derwent Park. It was an opportunity to discuss the Scale Fish Review conducted last year and how to create a positive pathway that benefits recreational fishers and the broader tourism markets.

I also took the opportunity to showcase the historical (1979) local fishing lure manufacturer Wigston Lures, Derwent Park (Hobart), the famous Tassie Devil lure makers. The aim was for Eric Abetz to understate that there are eight long-term sustainable jobs in Tasmania with products exported worldwide.

Image: Justin Causby, Minister Eric Abetz, Bob Baldwin with the Limited Release Ecca

Image: Bob Baldwin, Minister Eric Abetz with the Limited Release Ecca and Justin Causby

South Australia

AFTA has welcomed the formation of RECFish SA, the government’s election commitment to establish and fund an SA peak body, and we congratulate RECFish SA on its work on behalf of recreational fishers.

AFTA’s work on the ban on Snapper in the Spencer Gulf Fishing Zone, West Coast Fishing Zone and Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone in force until the 30th of June 2026 is ongoing. Whilst in the South East Fishery Zone, the bag limit was increased from one Snapper per person per day to 2 Snapper per person per day. The boat limit where 3 or more persons are on board was increased from 3 Snapper per boat to 6 Snapper per boat.

I truly appreciate AFTA’s SA representative, Alicia Bolitho (Tackle World, Port Lincoln), who worked tirelessly on Snapper and other state fishing issues representing AFTA; thank you.

Western Australia

As an industry, we continue to deal with the issues that impact our industry, whether it is the demersal (Dhufish and Pink Snapper ) cutbacks, the introduction of proposed Marine Parks, the further non-sensical restrictions such as a ban on wire leaders as to protect sharks or area lockouts such as Fremantle the list goes on.

There has been some positive news with the funding of the artificial reefs of Carnarvon and minor beneficial changes for charter and recreational fishers, such as doubling the spring recreational demersal fishing period to four weeks.

AFTA Tackle Show – Public Day

Minister Mark Furner officially opens the AFTA Tackle Show Public Day in 2022

The Queensland Government, through the personal support of Fisheries Minister Mark Furner MP, generously provided a total of $35,000 in sponsorship to again make the AFTA Tackle Show Public Day a free entry event.

Removing the price barrier to attendance, we look forward to seeing an increased presence of families and young anglers at the show.

We look forward to Minister Mark Furner opening the AFTA Public Day at the Tackle Show again this year.

Grant Programs

AFTA has had continuing success in engaging in the various State Government Recreational Fishing Grant programs.

Let’s Go Fishing – Educating School Children on the Sustainable Benefits of Recreational Fishing

AFTA appreciates the $115,000 continuing investment the NSW Government has made in the “Let’s Fish NSW” Schools (Phase 5) program. This joint AFTA/NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trust-funded program began in 2016, providing a hands-on educational experience through the Marine Teachers Association (MTA). Since its inception, AFTA has provided 325 complete gear kits to more than 100 NSW schools, with more looking to be involved.

I thank AFTA Directors Michael Starkey, Greg Seeto and former AFTA Directors Colin Tannahill and Mitch Birt for their work in bringing this program together year after year.

AFTA is preparing to apply for a Phase 6 program when the grant applications open.

“Let’s Fish Australia” Social Media Campaign

In the past, AFTA has had great success with grants from South Australia, Queensland & NSW for the “Let’s Fish Australia” program. AFTA is project managing and providing additional funding to get the program rolled out in a coordinated manner.

This campaign will target not only the existing committed fisher but also those who may have dropped from the sport or are interested in increasing or beginning participation across broad social and TV media.

The “Let’s Fish SA” social media clips have been rebranded to remove MRFAC and include the RecFish SA logos, and the Let’s Fish Qld” and “Let’s Fish NSW” video campaigns have been released. They are available on the Let’s Fish Australia website for your use; please share them as widely as possible.

It needs to be recognised that President Michael Starkey has been the driving force behind the development, production, and oversight of this vital program.

The Year in Summary

As I said at the beginning, we have had a number of challenges and opportunities this year.

I need to thank President Michael Starkey (Frogleys Offshore) for his advice, personal commitment, and outstanding efforts, above and beyond, in ensuring all policies and programs are rolled out successfully and continue to perform is appreciated by all.

The AFTA directors, old and new, continue to provide great leadership, direction and support through the many challenges we have faced over the past year. I maintain it’s not just about attending meetings but also about being available at the end of the phone when solid local advice is needed.

Critically, I always maintained the AFTA policy should be what you, the members, want and not what I personally perceive; that is why proactive AFTA directors are critical to the success of AFTA, and I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your efforts. Still, we have so much more to do.

I also wish to put on record my sincere appreciation for all the work Heatha Nicholas does with our communications and membership management.

So, Tight Lines & Full Tills, I look forward to seeing you at the show.

Bob