AFTA Chair’s Report – November 2025

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) has formally objected to a South Australian government proposal to halve bag and boat limits for key species in the Spencer Gulf, warning that the move unfairly targets recreational anglers while sparing commercial operators from equivalent restrictions.

In a letter addressed to Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Claire Scriven, AFTA Chair Bob Baldwin expressed both appreciation and apprehension regarding recent policy decisions. Baldwin welcomed the State’s recent $300,000 investment in the “Let’s Fish SA” campaign and the expanded Small Business Support grants, providing up to $50,000 for industry participants, as positive steps towards restoring public confidence and supporting those financially impacted by the ongoing algal bloom crisis.

However, following a 23rd October meeting with government officials, Bob made clear AFTA’s strong opposition to the proposed 50 per cent reduction in recreational catch limits for Calamari, Garfish, Blue Crab, and King George Whiting in the Spencer Gulf. “Our primary concern is the disproportionate impact these restrictions have on recreational fishers,” Baldwin wrote, noting that commercial fishing operations would remain largely unaffected aside from existing quota compliance. He called for ongoing consultation and for decisions to be based on robust, peer-reviewed science.

AFTA acknowledged supporting a temporary 50 per cent reduction in recreational limits in the Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island zones, as well as the commercial closure in these areas due to fish stock concerns. Nonetheless, the association questioned the ongoing snapper closures outside the South-East, arguing that extending bans beyond the current six-year period lacks scientific justification. Baldwin advocated for a seasonal snapper bag limit—one per person over a twelve-week post-spawning period from December to March—citing evidence of healthy stock maturation and recruitment.

The association’s letter also highlighted the economic clout of recreational fishing in South Australia, which generates $984 million annually and supports 9,434 full-time jobs—outpacing the commercial sector’s $844 million and 7,389 jobs. Excluding major export species and aquaculture, the wild catch sector’s contribution drops to $227 million and about 500 jobs. In light of these figures, AFTA called for “balanced and equitable support for both sectors, especially amid the current Algal Bloom crisis,” and urged the government to pursue policies that maximise economic value for the State.

The State Government has committed to working together with AFTA and other key recreational fishing stakeholders while these measures are subject to ongoing, rapid scientific review.

As the recreational fishing community awaits the government’s next steps, the message from AFTA is clear: support must be fair, and decisions must be grounded in the latest scientific evidence to ensure a sustainable future for all stakeholders in South Australia’s fishing industry.

The South Australian government has ramped up its support for the State’s recreational fishing sector, unveiling a new initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of anglers. As part of the broader Let’s Fish SA Recovery Program, Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced the launch of the Junior Tackle Box Promotion Program, a move welcomed by industry leaders for its focus on encouraging youth participation and backing local retailers.

Backed by a $200,000 government grant, the program will see free tackle boxes distributed to junior anglers. While eligibility criteria are yet to be finalised, they will hinge on a minimum spend threshold, which will be determined through ongoing consultation between the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) and participating retailers. The tackle boxes will be available primarily through retail outlets specialising in recreational fishing equipment.

This announcement comes as the $300,000 Let’s Fish SA campaign gains traction across the State, with early signs pointing to positive outcomes for the industry. According to AFTA, discussions with Premier Malinauskas have underscored the importance of growing the sector by both attracting new, young participants and supporting the businesses at the heart of South Australia’s fishing community.

Industry stakeholders are optimistic that the Junior Tackle Box Promotion Program will not only introduce more children to the joys of fishing but also provide a much-needed boost to retailers still recovering from the economic impacts of recent environmental challenges. Further details are expected as consultation with retailers continues, and the program moves towards implementation.

QUEENSLAND

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) has ramped up its campaign for greater fairness and openness in Queensland’s fisheries management, urging the state government to ensure that future harvest strategies are both transparent and equitable.

In a public statement, AFTA outlined ongoing concerns with the current policy and called on the government to revisit key aspects of its resource-allocation approach.

Central to AFTA’s position is a push to increase recreational bag limits for Spanish Mackerel, recommending a shift to two fish per person and six per boat. While this remains a 33 per cent reduction from pre-2023 limits, AFTA argues it strikes a necessary balance between sustainability and access for everyday anglers.

The association also criticised seasonal closures south of latitude 22˚S, stating there is no scientific evidence supporting the need for these restrictions during spawning periods. AFTA noted that these closures overlap with peak tourism months, potentially displacing fishing activity and impacting local economies without clear ecological benefits.

To address ongoing knowledge gaps, AFTA called on the government to fund targeted research alongside the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. This research would focus on northern Spanish Mackerel aggregation and breeding patterns, aiming to provide a robust scientific basis for any future closures or management decisions.

In the lead-up to key parliamentary votes on fisheries reform, AFTA is encouraging all stakeholders, retailers, wholesalers, and recreational fishers alike, to make their voices heard by engaging with local MPs. The association’s advocacy efforts continue to emphasise fair resource allocation and a measured approach that supports both the recreational fishing community and the long-term health of Queensland’s marine resources.

For more details, the full press release and AFTA’s complete submission are available online. https://afta.net.au/afta-calls-for-fairness-in-spanish-mackerel-management-strategy/

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

In Western Australia, recreational fishers are awaiting outcomes from the Government’s October Fishing Futures Forum, convened to chart a sustainable path for demersal fisheries. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis brought together industry leaders, officials, and community representatives to address persistent challenges in demersal fish conservation. AFTA emphasised the need to end finger-pointing, urging government, industry, and community to collaborate for the future of the State’s fisheries.

A key takeaway for recreational fishers was the Minister’s announcement ruling out mandatory reporting. For those seeking the latest developments in demersal research, stock assessments, and recreational fishing surveys, or wishing to share feedback, updates are available at www.dpird.wa.gov.au/demersal-scalefish-resources

VICTORIA

Victoria has made a significant stride in native fish production with the unveiling of Australia’s largest hatchery, heralding a new era for the State’s fisheries sector. The Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery, situated just south of Shepparton, is the centrepiece of a record $96 million investment under the Go Fishing and Boating Victoria Plan and is set to boost recreational fishing opportunities across the State dramatically.

Officially opened by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos, the state-of-the-art hatchery is poised to transform how Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings are bred and released. The facility’s completion almost quadruples Victoria’s native fish production capacity, increasing its number of ponds from 32 to 125. Specialised brood ponds, shallow plankton ponds for fingerlings, and five water storages—equivalent to 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools—underscore the scale of the expansion.

The upgraded indoor facilities are designed to significantly improve egg incubation and larval rearing, while a new processing area streamlines the preparation of fish for release. An administrative centre now provides enhanced support for on-site staff, reflecting the project’s focus on both efficiency and workforce development.

Once operating at full capacity, the Arcadia hatchery is expected to produce up to 6 million native fish annually, accounting for more than half of the 10 million fish released each year throughout Victoria. This output cements Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s leading fish-stocking State, surpassing the efforts of every other State and Territory combined.

Beyond its production capabilities, the Arcadia facility is designed to foster community engagement. The new Visitor Centre features a pond stocked with Murray cod and golden perch, an adventure playground, barbecue and picnic amenities, and educational exhibits for visitors of all ages. The Victorian Fisheries Authority, which oversaw the project, supported 20 jobs during construction by hiring local contractors. The Authority will open the doors to the public at the annual Arcadia Open Day in autumn 2026, offering guided tours, interactive activities, and an inside look at the hatchery’s operations.

Minister Dimopoulos hailed the investment as a defining moment for Victoria’s fisheries. “This investment cements Arcadia as the home of our native fish production and the heart of our record-breaking stocking program. The scale of expansion here at Arcadia truly is remarkable, and we’re confident it will have a lasting impact on the future of fishing in Victoria,” he said.

The Arcadia hatchery’s launch is being celebrated as a major boost for regional employment and as a key attraction for recreational anglers, further enhancing Victoria’s standing as a premier destination for outdoor pursuits. For more information on the Arcadia expansion, visit vfa.vic.gov.au.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The NSW Government has called for the following Fishing Advisory Council applications:

Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council

The Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council was established to provide the Minister for Primary Industries with high-level strategic policy advice on issues relating to the management of fisheries resources in NSW.

This includes advice to assist with the management of commercial, recreational/charter, and Aboriginal cultural fishing, as well as issues that impact fisheries and sectors across the board, such as resource sharing, co-management, cost recovery, and ecosystem-based fisheries management. For more information, visit the Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council.

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council

The Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW) has been established to provide advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on key recreational fishing issues in NSW.

The Advisory Council is based around a modern representative model, ensuring the views of regional fishers from right across the State are communicated. RFNSW includes eight regional members, two members with expertise in spearfishing and charter boat fishing and other representatives that significantly benefit the function of the Advisory Council.

More information

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council

Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council

The Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council (AFAC) has been established under Section 229 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 to provide strategic-level advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on issues affecting Aboriginal fishing interests. It will continue to play an important role in developing cultural fishing policy and in exploring commercial opportunities for Aboriginal communities associated with fishing activities.

More information: Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council

Please note closing date: 19th December 2025

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory’s bold move to buy back 14 Barramundi Gill Net licences has drawn widespread approval. Still, it is the innovative Million Dollar Fish program that truly stands out as a shining example of visionary leadership in recreational fishing management.

While the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) continues to advocate for swift action to remove gill nets—citing the critical need to protect dugongs, turtles, dolphins, sawfish and other vulnerable marine life from indiscriminate bycatch—industry leaders are quick to highlight the transformative impact of the Million Dollar Fish initiative.

The program has not only boosted local tourism and injected fresh energy into the Territory’s iconic barramundi and threadfin salmon fisheries, but it has also proven that recreational fishing can underpin regional economies while advancing conservation outcomes.

Recent ecological risk assessments have underscored the urgent need to retire gill nets to safeguard threatened species, with the region’s biodiversity hanging in the balance. Yet amid these environmental challenges, the Million Dollar Fish program has set a new standard for collaboration among government, industry and the community. Its runaway success is evident in the Territory’s booming recreational fishing tourism sector—now worth over $270 million annually and providing jobs for more than 2,500 locals. Participation rates are off the charts, with one in three Northern Territorians wetting a line each year, leaving the national average of 21 per cent in their wake.

With these achievements, the Million Dollar Fish program has become the gold standard for progressive fisheries leadership, showing how imaginative initiatives can drive both economic growth and environmental sustainability. As the Territory moves to phase out gill nets, it is clear that world-class recreational fishing experiences, underpinned by innovative programs like Million Dollar Fish (https://milliondollarfish.com.au), are setting the pace for Australia and beyond.

FEDERAL & TASMANIA

Efforts to bolster Tasmania’s recreational fish stocks are gaining momentum, with recent trials highlighting the potential of hatchery-reared fish to support both conservation and climate resilience in the State’s fisheries.

Recreational fishing is deeply woven into the fabric of Tasmanian life—one in four locals wet a line each year. A statewide survey revealed that anglers retain more than 830,000 finfish annually, with another 1.2 million released or discarded, underscoring the sector’s substantial social and economic contribution. Yet, mounting pressure on popular species is prompting new management strategies.

A major initiative, Fisheries Research & Development Council (FRDC) project 2023-163, led by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), is investigating whether hatchery-reared Southern Sand Flathead (Platycephalus bassensis), Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) and Estuary Perch (Percalates colonorum) can help replenish depleted populations.

Southern Sand Flathead is the State’s most prized recreational target, accounting for around half of all finfish kept by anglers. Decades of heavy fishing have seen stocks dwindle; the most recent Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports (July 2024) lists the species as “depleted” in Tasmania. In response, authorities have slashed bag limits—from 20 to as few as two fish per person in some regions—and implemented stricter size limits.

While these reforms aim to nurture natural recovery, rebuilding populations could take years. That’s why stock enhancement—releasing hatchery-reared fish—has emerged as a possible “plan B” to complement traditional management.

The D’Entrecasteaux Channel, just south of Hobart, was selected as the trial site. This sheltered waterway is a favourite among anglers but has suffered from years of intense fishing, leaving stocks depleted and the population structure skewed towards smaller fish.

Researchers turned to EnhanceFish, a modelling tool developed by the University of Florida, to test different stocking scenarios. Their findings? Larger juvenile flathead (over 9cm) had markedly higher survival rates and delivered bigger boosts to local fish numbers than smaller releases. The approach also offers a chance to restore more robust and genetically diverse fish, potentially reversing the effects of past size-selective fishing.

“Southern Sand Flathead are at the heart of recreational fishing in Tasmania, and we want to maximise the value of these species to the community,” said project co-investigator Dr Sean Tracey, head of the fisheries and aquaculture centre at IMAS.

Read the full report at the FRDC website. (https://www.frdc.com.au/news/can-hatchery-fish-build-recreational-fish-biomass)

Election Calendar

New South Wales

March 13, 2027

Queensland

October 28, 2028