Author: Bob Baldwin

AFTA welcome the appointment of Senator Jonathon Duniam as Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism in the Morrison Government taking over from Senator Richard Colbeck.

AFTA thanks Minister Colbeck for his commitment and work in the fisheries portfolio.

As co-chair of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Recreational Fishing, Jonathon worked hard to help bring politicians together to meet with AFTA at the Parliamentary Breakfast in November last year.

Jonathon Duniam, a Liberal Senator from Tasmania, is married with three sons and knows the importance of improving opportunities for the next generation and that includes fishing.   He is a strong advocate for his home state and believes Tasmania is among the best places to live, work and raise a family.

Senator Duniam’s aim and focus will always be – judged by deeds, not by words, and it is his commitment to work hard and deliver tangible benefits for the people of Australia.

AFTA look forward to working with Jonathon in his advocating passionately about Recreational Fishing across all of Australia.

Understanding the impact of recreational fishing

5 April 2019

A new survey launched today will help build a better understanding of the demographics, attitudes and social and economic contribution of Australian recreational fishers.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator Richard Colbeck said the survey would provide a clearer picture of one of Australia’s most loved past times.

“Recreational fishing ranges from families taking their kids fishing once a year on the family holiday, to avid fishers who fish hundreds of days using equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The 12 month survey launched today will provide us with a better understanding of rec fishers across Australia including where they fish, how often they fish, what motivates them and what is important to their experience.

“This will be an important tool in continuing to adapt Australia’s world-class fisheries management practices to the needs and impact of our rec fishers.

“This data-driven approach stands in stark contrast to the anti-science, anti-rec fishing marine parks lock-ups proposed by Tony Burke and Labor.

“The last national recreational fishing survey was undertaken in 2001—18 years ago and much has changed in that time.

“This study will make use of new online techniques to survey the Australian population, and aims to address many of the shortcomings of typical online survey methods.

“The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is working with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and the University of Canberra to implement the survey.

“ABARES and the University of Canberra have developed a methodology which reduces the cost of running these