AFTA Chair’s Report – May 2025

Federal Election

AFTA congratulates the Albanese Labor Government on its resounding re-election on May 3rd. The Honourable Julie Collins has retained her position as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which includes recreational fishing, and Senator The Honourable Murray Watt has been appointed as Minister for the Environment, overseeing Marine Parks.

Now the government has a mandate to proceed with the Offshore Windfarms, AFTA will work with the government to ensure the best solutions are sought for recreational fishers, this includes Energy & Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen who stated in letter that exclusion zones of 50 meters could be established, for more detail see the letter from Minister Bowen: https://afta.net.au/wp-content/uploads/Letter-from-Minister-Bowen.pdf.

Northern Territory

The new NT Government has handed down its first budget and despite having a massive debt problem to deal with the Northern Territory Minister for Recreational Fishing & Deputy Leader, Gerard Maley, has secured further support for recreational fishing through the 2025 Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme as well as the “Million Dollar Fish” program, which is included in the 2025 budget. (https://budget.nt.gov.au/our-budget/recreational-fishing)

Fishing is a significant part of the Territory’s lifestyle, creating numerous jobs and generating substantial revenue for the local economy each year. The grants scheme is part of the RecFishing Futures program and will facilitate various activities, including fishing education programs, infrastructure projects, and recreational fishing events that benefit local communities.

The second round of funding will open in August 2025, offering grants of up to $75,000 for larger infrastructure projects designed to expand recreational fishing opportunities across the Territory.

AFTA appreciates and congratulates NT Treasurer Bill Yan, marking his 13th year as both a patron and sponsor, as well as continuing to volunteer as Chief Marshall at the 2025 Daly River Barramundi Classic event. It is fantastic to see politicians actually meaningfully engaged with the recreational fishing industry.

For more details, see:  https://afta.net.au/nt-budget-million-fish-and-fishing-grants-program-to-continue/

South Australia

On May 30th, the AFTA board will meet with Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Emily Bourke. Asher Dezsery, the CEO of RecfishSA, will also join the discussion to talk about recreational fishing issues ahead of the March 2026 election.

AFTA will be discussing;

• Snapper Ban: With the stock assessment due in November, the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) is advocating for the reopening of specific areas and will request early advise of the release date of the report so that suppliers and retailers in the tackle industry can be informed in advance to accommodate stock production and supply. It is essential for retailers and suppliers to plan ahead to secure stock and ensure they can meet demand. Given that the ban has been in effect for five years, the relevant data should be readily accessible. If specific regions, such as the West Coast and South East, are deemed sustainable, these areas should be reopened, while those where stocks remain unsustainable should remain closed.
• Kingfish: With the support of AFTA, RecfishSA has been working hard for a reduction in commercial Kingfish take to improve stock sustainability across the board.
• School-Based Fishing Education – AFTA will detail the outcomes and benefits achieved from the AFTA/NSW-DPI/ Marine Teachers Association’s NSW Lets Go Fishing School curriculum program.
• Support of the Recreational Fishing sector through sport facility grants – currently $200K of which only $15k is being used for recreational fishing.
• Yellowfin Whiting: Members report concerns in the Lower Eyre Peninsula of a significant stock decline
• Red Tape Reduction:  Of facilities, i.e. Tod Reservoir and Baroota Reservoir – easier accessibility to be able to open and restock, creating greater tourism opportunities.
• Addressing the “jetty” issue as if it is a sport, i.e. a jetty is no different to a hockey field and should demand the same level of government attention and support for the infrastructure.

Queensland

Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment

AFTA welcomed the release of the 2025 QLD Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment. The report has found that Spanish Mackerel stocks in Queensland are no longer at historically low levels; in fact, the latest stock assessment indicates this iconic stock biomass is at a median of 34 per cent of unfished levels in Queensland waters. https://afta.net.au/2025-spanish-mackerel-stock-assessment-released/

Read the report at  2025 Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment report and watch how Fisheries Queensland’s Spanish mackerel stock assessments are conducted.

Primary Industries 25-year Blueprint

The Qld DPI is seeking feedback on the draft 25-year blueprint for Queensland’s primary industries. The draft blueprint, Primary Industries Prosper 2050, has been developed in collaboration with industry and other stakeholders as part of a staged consultation. AFTA has participated in the plan’s working group development stage.

Public consultation is open until 5.00 pm on June 9th 2025. You can share your ideas by registering on this site and attending consultation activities across the state. The draft blueprint can be downloaded from the Document Library on this page to assist you with the questions. For more detail, see: https://afta.net.au/queensland-primary-industries-25-year-blueprint/

Western Australia

AFTA will be meeting with The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Fisheries, on July 8th to discuss the recreational fishing portfolio and ensure AFTA is represented at the policy-making table. As an MP based in the Margaret River region, we look forward to working with her for the betterment of recreational fishing in WA.

FAD Roll-Out

The Government is deploying eight enhanced fish aggregating devices (FADs) year-round off the coasts of Dampier and Broome to improve recreational sport fishing. These FADs are designed to withstand harsh conditions and cyclone impacts, extending the fishing season. Additionally, one Dampier FAD will support a wave buoy to provide real-time wave data that is accessible online. The government has allocated $1.5 million for this program, targeting species like tuna, mahi mahi, marlin, and more. Maps and coordinates are available on relevant websites. Local representatives praise the initiative for boosting fishing opportunities and enhancing experiences for fishers and tourists. For more details, see: https://afta.net.au/new-wa-fads-spark-year-round-fishing-action-up-north/

New South Wales

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s initiatives in NSW’s recreational fishing community are impressive! Highlights include the thriving Women in Fishing Facebook group, which fosters inclusivity, the Fishcare program, which engages over 5,800 participants in responsible practices, and offshore artificial reefs, which enhance marine habitats. The establishment of a recreational fishing peak body further strengthens governance. These efforts showcase DPIRD’s dedication to community-building and sustainable fishing. Well done!

Victoria

The Allan Labor Government is enhancing Rocklands Reservoir for boaters and anglers. Upgrades include a concrete ramp at Hynes Reserve, funded by the Better Boating Fund. Since 2021, over $100 million has been invested in ramp upgrades in Victoria. Rocklands Reservoir’s outdoor recreation contributions have risen significantly, with increased visitation. Fishing is a major draw, with regular catches of various fish species. The government has stocked over 5 million fish in Rocklands in eight years and plans to stock 10 million fish statewide by July 2025, also aiding bushfire recovery efforts in Western Victoria. For more details, see: https://afta.net.au/boating-and-fishing-reeling-in-more-visitors-to-rocklands/

Proudly Made In Australia – Platypus Line

Tackle Tactics: A Legacy of Fishing Excellence

When Gareth Williams launched the family fishing tackle business, Tackle Tactics, in Brendale, Brisbane, Queensland, back in 1999, manufacturing fishing line was likely far from the forefront of his plans. However, destiny had other ideas.

Intrigued by the craftsmanship rooted in Australian manufacturing and its profound impact on our tackle industry, I seized the chance to visit Tackle Tactics during a recent trip to Brisbane. Here, I witnessed firsthand the meticulous process from raw material to finished product behind creating Platypus fishing line.

Within the bustling factory, rolls upon rolls of custom-woven multi-strand braid and raw materials awaited their turn on machines that hum steadily for 12 hours a day, four days a week. These formidable devices churn out endless spools of line adhering to the rigorous IGFA-rated standards.

The Platypus fishing line extrusion setup is truly an engineering marvel. Despite Gareth’s acquisition of the Platypus brand in 2019, the roots of this manufacturing miracle trace back to 1898. It all began when Scottish rope maker George Ross McPherson founded his workshop, which eventually evolved through generations into Australian Monofil, before being acquired by Tackle Tactics in 2019 – a testament to an enduring Australian legacy spanning 127 years.

For the past 38 years, Pete Glover has overseen the production facility at both Tackle Tactics and Australian Monofil, ensuring the creation of top-notch Australian-made fishing line. Today, Tackle Tactics employs 24 dedicated staff members, with a significant number solely focused on the Platypus production processes.

Every year, the extrusion facility crafts an impressive distance of monofilament fishing line and leader. At the same time, the weaving machines produce equally astounding lengths of multi-strand braid, serving not only the Australian market but also reaching international shores.

Proudly sold under the Platypus brand, these lines represent a century-old commitment to quality and innovation – 100% Australian made.

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