AFTA Chair’s Report – January 2026

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SA Launches Junior Tackle Box Program to Boost Youth Participation

The South Australian Government, in partnership with AFTA, has rolled out a new initiative aimed at getting more young people involved in recreational fishing while supporting local tackle retailers. The Junior Tackle Box Promotion Program forms part of the broader Let’s Fish SA Recovery Program and follows the Premier’s announcement of a $200,000 investment in youth engagement and retail support.

Under the scheme, junior anglers will receive a free tackle box through participating fishing outlets, with eligibility tied to a small minimum in‑store spend. The initiative builds on the earlier successful  $300,000 Let’s Fish SA campaign, which has already delivered strong results for community participation and industry recovery.

Industry leaders expect the program to draw more young fishers into the sport while offering a welcome economic boost to retailers affected by recent environmental pressures.

From mid‑January, stores will begin receiving Melbourne‑manufactured, single‑tray tackle boxes, delivered in pallet loads to ensure a minimum of 128 units per store. Children who spend $10 or more will qualify for the free tackle box, providing a practical incentive to get families into stores and onto the water.

To maximise visibility, AFTA will distribute promotional posters, social media assets, and digital materials to help retailers drive engagement. The government‑funded rollout aims to strengthen community connections, increase retail activity, and support long‑term sector growth.

Participating outlets can expect:

• Increased family foot traffic
• Higher chances of return visits
• Growth in tackle and accessory sales
• Engagement with new customers and future fishers

Stores already part of the Let’s Fish SA campaign will automatically receive stock and promotional materials in early January, while AFTA encourages other eligible retailers to take advantage of this opportunity to support young anglers and stimulate local business activity.

$4.35 Million SA Government Investment to Expand Reservoir Fishing Access

The Malinauskas Government has committed $4.35 million to expand recreational access at Myponga and Tod Reservoirs. Upgrades include new access roads, kayak launch areas, visitor facilities, amenities, and safety improvements — all aimed at supporting increased recreational use.

Both reservoirs will see significant fish‑stocking activity, with 10,000–20,000 fish this summer at Myponga and additional stocking planned through 2026‑27. Tod Reservoir will host recreational fishing for the first time.

Fishing Regulation Changes in SA

AFTA continues the push to Reinstated Bag and Boat Limits as SA Fish Stocks Recover

Recreational and charter fishers in South Australia can once again take full bag, boat, and passenger limits for Blue Swimmer Crab and Southern Garfish in the Spencer Gulf, as well as key migratory finfish species in Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island. The change comes into effect from 19 December, following the lifting of precautionary restrictions introduced on 1 November to help stocks recover from recent algal bloom impacts.

The decision follows updated scientific assessments confirming that Blue Swimmer Crab and Southern Garfish stocks are performing sustainably. With the temporary measures no longer required, previous limits for affected species—including Albacore, Australian Herring, Barracouta, Mulloway, Southern Bluefin Tuna, WA Salmon and Yellowtail Kingfish—have now been fully reinstated.

The change marks a positive step for South Australian recreational fishers, many of whom were affected by the stricter limits but recognised the need for short‑term measures to protect stock health. With conditions stabilising, fishers can now return to normal catch levels across the listed species.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Summary of West Coast Bioregion Reforms and Their Impacts

AFTA was commissioned to prepare an article for International Angler outlining the implications of Western Australia’s new demersal fishing reforms. Following the Ministerial Fishing Future Forum on 20 October, the WA Government introduced significant management measures aimed at protecting vulnerable demersal species such as pink snapper and WA dhufish. These reforms respond to scientific assessments indicating stock decline and follow extensive engagement with stakeholders across all fishing sectors and the broader community.

Statewide changes include major adjustments in the West Coast Bioregion. Recreational boat‑based demersal fishing—initially expected to resume in December 2025—will now remain closed until spring 2027, when the 900 km coastline will reopen exclusively to recreational fishing. From 1 January 2026, commercial demersal fishing will be suspended, including the permanent closure of gillnet and commercial line fishing south of Kalbarri, supported by a mandatory licence buyback. Metropolitan charter demersal fishing will cease in December 2025, with limited charter activity continuing elsewhere under a reduced annual catch‑tag limit of 25 tonnes.

In the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, and South Coast regions, recreational and charter fishing operations continue unchanged, while commercial catches will be reduced by 50% from January 2026. A $29.2 million Government support package is being implemented to assist both recreational and commercial sectors in transitioning to the new arrangements.

In the long term, more than 900 km of coastline will be secured solely for recreational fishing, presenting significant benefits for recreational fishing participation, investment and sector growth. AFTA reiterates its commitment to collaborating with members and Government to ensure the greatest possible economic, social and environmental return per kilogram of fish.

Impact on the Local Economy

The reforms will have both short‑term disruption and long‑term economic upside, with notable effects across multiple sectors:

Immediate Financial Impact: The effect of the extended demersal closure in the west coast region is having an immediate and dramatic impact on over 90 retail fishing tackle stores and this is extending boating, accommodation, marine services, and tourism sectors across the west coast region.

Charter and Tourism Sector Adjustments: While metropolitan charter operators face short-term revenue declines due to closures, charter businesses in other parts of the West Coast Bioregion will continue under a tag system. This may redirect client demand to regional operators, providing new opportunities for growth.

Commercial Sector Transition: The suspension of commercial demersal fishing and closure of gillnet and line fisheries will initially reduce commercial supply and employment. However, the Government’s $29.2 million support package will partially offset impacts through licence buybacks, business transition assistance, and workforce support programs.

Long-Term Economic Value: With recreational fishing generating significantly higher economic activity per kilogram of fish than commercial harvest, the shift toward prioritising recreational access is expected to deliver stronger net economic returns to regional communities over time—including increased job creation in recreation-dependent industries

Long Term Recreational Fishing Growth: With 900 km of coastline transitioning to exclusive recreational access, the reforms are expected to boost expenditure post Spring 2027 on fishing gear, boating, accommodation, marine services, and tourism-related businesses.

VICTORIA

Juvenile Whiting Boom Signals Strong Seasons Ahead for Victorian Fishers

A surge in juvenile King George whiting across Port Phillip is setting the stage for several strong fishing seasons, according to new fisheries survey data. Scientists have recorded the highest numbers of young whiting since 2021, offering a promising outlook for recreational anglers.

Fisheries Victoria reports that overall fishing quality in Port Phillip continues to improve following the 2022 removal of commercial net fishing, which has left more whiting, flathead, snapper and calamari available to recreational fishers.

The annual surveys — conducted for more than 25 years in seagrass nursery beds around the bay — are a reliable indicator of future stock health. Encouragingly, similar spikes in juvenile numbers were also detected in Western Port and Corner Inlet, pointing to a broader statewide trend.

King George whiting typically mature in sheltered bays before moving offshore to spawn in winter. Their larvae drift eastward for several months before returning to the bays each spring — coinciding with the scientific survey period. With strong juvenile recruitment now confirmed, Victorian anglers can expect healthy whiting stocks and quality fishing opportunities in the years ahead.

NEW SOUTH WALES

NSW Proposed Bag Limit Reductions

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has released a series of proposed “Rebuilding Programs” for several depleted fish stocks. These include Grey Morwong, Silver Trevally, Pearl Perch, and Redfish. The proposals include significant bag‑limit reductions, with some options removing up to 90–95% of recreational access to certain species.

AFTA has prepared a formal submission responding to these proposals. The key points for members are outlined below.

1. AFTA Supports Stock Rebuilding, but Not Disproportionate Measures

AFTA fully supports the goal of rebuilding depleted fish stocks. Healthy fisheries are essential for:

• Long‑term sustainability
• Ongoing recreational access
• Jobs in the tackle and boating industries
• Regional tourism and coastal communities

However, the measures proposed by NSW DPI impose massive and disproportionate cuts on the recreational sector—far exceeding what DPI’s own science says is needed.

2. Recreational Fishing Is a Major Economic and Social Contributor

Recreational fishing in NSW generates:

• $3.9 billion GSP
• 32,493 full-time jobs

Compared with the commercial sector:

• $0.6 billion GSP
• 4,440 jobs

Recreational fishing delivers 6–7 times more economic value and employment for NSW.
Given this, AFTA argues that policy decisions must protect recreational access and avoid unnecessary economic and regional impacts.

3. AFTA’s Key Concerns with the Proposed Reductions

Across all four species, DPI’s proposed bag limits for recreational fishers represent reductions that are 4–7 times higher than the required biological targets.

Grey Morwong

• DPI target: 50% reduction
• DPI options: 80% or 90% reduction

Silver Trevally

• DPI target: 20% reduction
• DPI options: 50–90% reduction

Pearl Perch

• DPI target: 22% reduction
• DPI option includes raising size limit, which will increase barotrauma deaths and may increase total mortality, not reduce it.

Redfish

• DPI target: 14% reduction
• DPI option: 95% reduction (20 down to 1 fish) — effectively removing access.

These cuts do not reflect true recreational catch levels or the proportional contribution of each sector.

4. AFTA’s Preferred Options (Fair, Balanced, Evidence-Based)

Grey Morwong
Bag limit 5, keep 30 cm size
(50% reduction – matches DPI target)

Silver Trevally
Bag limit 5, keep 30 cm size
(Realistic 50% reduction, maintains access)

Pearl Perch
Bag limit 4, keep 30 cm size
(Protects stock without increasing barotrauma mortality)

Redfish
Bag limit 10, keep 25 cm size
(50% reduction – exceeds DPI requirement of 14%, but preserves access)

5. AFTA’s Core Principles

AFTA’s position is guided by:

• Proportional reductions across all sectors
• Reliable, peer‑reviewed science, not predetermined outcomes
• Triple bottom line: environmental, social, economic
• Protection of recreational access
• Fair treatment of the recreational fishing industry
• Avoiding unnecessary negative impacts on businesses and communities

6. What Happens Next

• Members will be kept updated as the process progresses.
• AFTA will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of the recreational fishing trade and the Australian fishing community.

QUEENSLAND

Barramundi Netting in Region 5

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) has provided a formal submission to the Queensland Department of Primary Industries regarding proposed regulatory changes for commercial barramundi netting in Southeast Queensland (Region 5). AFTA strongly supports reinstating pre‑January 2024 arrangements to prevent ecological harm, reduce uncertainty, and restore public confidence.

Key Recommendations

AFTA urges the Department to:

• Reinstate the prohibition on targeting or retaining barramundi with gill nets in Region 5.
• Implement an immediate decision or temporary harvest suspension to avoid exploitation during the regulatory gap.
• Review the King Threadfin quota, as current settings are based on outdated peak catch data and do not reflect the species’ variable recruitment in southern Queensland.
• Remove gill nets entirely from Region 5, aligning with management across the wider east coast and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
• Prioritise long‑term stock sustainability under a precautionary, evidence‑based framework.

Scientific and Ecological Basis

AFTA highlights substantial scientific uncertainty in Region 5:

• No stock assessment exists for barramundi south of Tin Can Bay.
• TAC settings rely on recruitment data from other regions.
• Juvenile barramundi are rarely detected locally, raising concerns about whether the population is self‑sustaining.
• Threadfin and barramundi recruitment is highly influenced by environmental variability, particularly wet‑season flow.

AFTA emphasises significant ecological risks from gillnetting, including bycatch of vulnerable species such as dugongs, sawfish, dolphins, turtles, and other marine fauna—particularly in sensitive estuarine environments.

Harvest and Management Context

Recent harvest figures show low commercial barramundi take in Region 5 (8 t in 2025; 9 t in 2024). Prior to the 2024 rule change, incidentally caught barramundi from Tin Can Bay to the NSW border could not be retained. Recreational harvest remains very low.

Economic and Community Considerations

AFTA contends that gillnetting offers poor economic value when broader impacts are considered. In contrast, recreational fishing and tourism industries deliver far stronger regional economic benefits through employment, visitor expenditure, retail activity, and community engagement.

Support for Government Action

AFTA commends the Government and Minister Tony Perrett for recognising deficiencies in the previous administration’s decision—particularly the lack of science, consultation, and sustainability assessment—and for progressing regulatory reforms that restore responsibility.

Election Calendar

New South Wales

March 13, 2027

Queensland

October 28, 2028