AFTA Chair’s Report – June 2025

Bruce Alvey OAM

A well-deserved honour!

Congratulations to 2014 AFTA Hall of Fame recipient (https://afta.net.au/hall-of-fame-inductee-bruce-alvey/) and past President Bruce Alvey on being awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List: ‘For significant service to the recreational fishing industry.’

Victoria

Victoria Imposes Tough Restrictions on Machetes

Victoria has enacted the strictest measures yet against machetes, banning their sale from May 28th, 2025, and possession from September 1st, 2025. The crackdown comes amidst rising concerns over knife-related violence. Retailers must cease sales and secure any unsold stock, while an amnesty period from September to November will allow individuals to safely dispose of machetes without penalties. Exemptions for agricultural and other legitimate uses will be available through a formal application process.

Machetes, defined as knives with blades exceeding 20 cm, exclude kitchen and filleting knives used for food preparation. Violators face fines of over $47,000 or up to two years’ imprisonment. Premier Jacinta Allan emphasised the urgency of the ban, prioritising community safety over convenience.

For more details: https://afta.net.au/victoria-will-ban-the-sale-of-machetes-from-1200-noon-wednesday-28-may/

Victoria Boosts Boating Infrastructure with Major Ramp Upgrades

The Allan Labor Government has announced a significant $36.3 million investment in Victoria’s boating infrastructure. This funding will cover major upgrades and maintenance for boat ramps across the state, including a new ramp at Lake Eildon.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos highlighted improvements at Werribee South boat ramp, with plans for an extra ramp lane, accessible pontoon, and reconfigured parking to ease congestion. Other facilities set for upgrades include Limeburners Point, Schnapper Point, Tooradin, and Port Welshpool.

Since 2021, nearly $140 million has been reinvested into recreational boating projects through the Better Boating Fund, enhancing more than 50 ramps and supporting broader boating initiatives.

For more details, visit [www.betterboating.vic.gov.au ].

Northern Territory

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) has sought clarity on the timeline for the buyback of 14 barramundi gill net licenses, a promise made by the Finocchiaro CLP government that would be completed during this four-year term.

In a letter to The Hon. Gerard Maley, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister for Recreational Fishing, AFTA requested specific details regarding the timing of the planned buyback, which was pledged by both CLP & ALP parties leading up to the August 2024 election.

The barramundi and threadfin salmon fisheries are vital to the Northern Territory, with recreational fishing tourism contributing over $270 million annually and supporting more than 2,500 full-time jobs. The NT boasts a high fishing participation rate, with one-third of adults engaging in fishing each year, compared to the national average of 21%.

For details: https://afta.net.au/nt-gill-net-buy-back-letter-to-minister-maley/

Tasmania

With the passage of a no-confidence motion in Premier Rockcliff, the Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker AC has allowed for an election to take place on July 19^th 2025, just 15 months into a 4-year term.   AFTA will work with and support TARFish on local issues to be raised.

South Australia

Key Issues Discussed Ahead of South Australia’s 2026 Election – Recreational Fishing, Sustainability, and Policy Development in Focus

As South Australia gears up for its 2026 election on March 21st, pivotal discussions on recreational fishing and sustainability have taken centre stage. A recent meeting between AFTA and Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, underscored pressing concerns across fisheries, conservation, and regulatory matters.

Snapper Sustainability

AFTA has called for a reassessment of the timing for West Coast Snapper stock assessments, ensuring results are communicated well before any state closures are announced. The association argues that the fishery is sustainable and closures beyond 2026 are unwarranted. Recommendations also include aligning Southeast Snapper bag and boat limits with Victoria’s regulations, which allow a bag limit of 10 fish, with size restrictions, to ensure consistency across states.

Southern Calamari Review

Concerns over Southern Calamari sustainability were highlighted, with AFTA suggesting that the commercial quota should be reviewed based on actual catch data rather than the Total Allowable Catch (TAC). Additionally, the association urged the government to study prawn fishery bycatch to assess the impact of undersized calamari catches on the sustainability of the species.

Kingfish Trap Controversy

AFTA voiced concerns over the use of floating Kingfish traps, noting their potential to harm pelagic fish stocks. Recommendations include reviewing trap designs and examining lessons from New South Wales, where such traps were banned due to environmental risks.

Yellowfin Whiting Decline

Yellowfin Whiting stocks on the lower Eyre Peninsula require urgent scientific investigation, according to AFTA, which believes further studies are essential to ensure their sustainability.

Regulation and Education

The introduction of fee-based recreational fishing licenses was opposed by AFTA, which instead advocates for a no-fee compulsory registration system to gather accurate data on fishing activities. Moreover, if machete bans akin to Victoria’s are considered, the practicality of filleting knives exceeding 20 cm in length—often used in recreational fishing—must be addressed.

Promoting Youth Engagement for Sustainability – A Program for South Australia

The AFTA NSW Schools Project, “Let’s Go Fishing,” is lauded for its efforts in educating students on sustainable recreational fishing. The NSW initiative, which provides fishing tackle kits and educational resources to schools, has reached over 150 institutions and continues to inspire young fishers across the state. AFTA has commenced discussions with South Australia regarding a possible educational elective program for the future.

These discussions highlight the complexities of balancing recreational fishing interests, conservation efforts, and regulatory fairness, with stakeholders keen to protect South Australia’s vibrant fishing culture while ensuring sustainability for future generations.

NSW

The New South Wales government has announced an extension to the public consultation period for the draft Mulloway Harvest Strategy, now set to close on June 25th, 2025.

This decision comes following significant interest and engagement from stakeholders. The draft strategy, developed in collaboration with fishers, aims to support the ongoing recovery of Mulloway stocks in NSW.

The government emphasised that the additional month will provide fishers with more time to share their perspectives, ensuring that their insights and experiences are incorporated into the final strategy. The future of Mulloway fisheries, officials noted, is a collective responsibility dependent on broad input from the community.

For more details, https://afta.net.au/update-public-consultation-on-the-draft-nsw-mulloway-harvest-has-been-extended/

Queensland

Spanish Mackerel update

The Spanish Mackerel Fisheries Working Group met on June 2nd 2025, in Cairns to discuss the 2025 Spanish Mackerel stock assessment, performance assessment of the fishery, and future management arrangements. This stock assessment was developed over a two-year period. There is a broad disagreement regarding the assumption that the recreational take (including shark depredation and discards) of ECSM noted in the recently published stock assessment exceeds the level prescribed in the Harvest Strategy (HS).

The updated stock assessment results were presented, highlighting key differences between the new ensemble modelling approach and the base-case approach used for the previous 2021 assessment. Notable differences in modelling included higher weightings given to age data, the inclusion of recent fishing and biological data up to 2024, the direct and empirical inclusion of shark depredation rates, and the ground-truthing of historical depredation impacts from before logbook records. Other discussions involved the key drivers for the updated 2025 biomass estimate. The importance of stakeholder inclusion throughout the stock assessment process was emphasised.

The HS allocates 60% for Commercial and 40% for Recreational use; however, the Stock Assessment data currently shows a distribution of 40% for Commercial and 60% for Recreational use. AFTA vehemently dispute this finding.

The East Coast Spanish Mackerel (ECSM) Working Group and Reef Line Working Group meeting communique are now available:

ECSM – see https://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/…/current/spanish-mackerel

Reef Line – see https://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/…/working…/current/reef-line

Queensland’s Stock Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS)

SIPS has been going strong for 25 years. It’s the determination and hard work of those like SIPS Legends – Ann and Ian Leighton – that ensure the Tableland Fish Stocking Society (TFSS) in Far North Queensland is where it is today.

This dynamic duo has been the driving force behind the TFSS for many years and continues to inspire others with their dedication and passion towards fish stocking in Lake Tinaroo. Ann and Ian joined the TFSS in 1996, which is now like an extended family to them.

They’ve enjoyed watching youngsters grow up to become some of the best anglers in Far North Queensland. They’re also proud of their ongoing contribution to tourism, including the annual Tinaroo Barra Bash, and enjoy seeing visitors to Tinaroo Falls Dam hitch their campers and cast their lures! They’re always keen to welcome new members to the TFSS, so why not consider joining? Read more about how Ann and Ian became involved and why, after almost 30 years on, they are still loving it 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wSlZe

Western Australia

AFTA is gearing up for a pivotal meeting on July 8th with The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries, to address key aspects of the recreational fishing portfolio, such as the seasonal closures on Dhufish and Pink Snapper. AFTA aims to ensure its voice is heard in policy discussions and decisions. Representing the Margaret River region, Minister Jarvis’s involvement is seen as a promising opportunity to advance initiatives that benefit recreational fishing across Western Australia.

Tight Lines
Bob

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