ARFF invites expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Emerging Leader Bursary Program to attend as a member of the Australian delegation to the 11th World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) in South Africa, 21–26 February 2026.
Please note there will also be a “Leader” bursary category. Further advice will be provided separately to relevant peak bodies regarding nominations for the “Leader” category.
Funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and led by the Victorian Fisheries Authority in partnership with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, this bursary will support up to six emerging leaders to attend WRFC. It is a unique chance to learn, share, and network with leading recreational fisheries experts from over 20 countries worldwide.
Applicants are required to submit an application demonstrating:
- Key topics or issues they wish to explore at WRFC that will benefit recreational fisheries in Australia
- Support from a recognised peak body or relevant organisation
- Alignment with the Recreational Fishing RDE Strategy 2024–2029
- Communication channels they will use to share learnings and experiences
Please see the attached EOI application checklist and a document containing the full details for the bursary program. Please note the bursary covers most expenses; however, participants are required to pay an upfront co-contribution of $650, as well as any additional costs such as extra meals and optional activities.
EOI applications for the Emerging Leader category are open from 9th to 26th October 2025. All applications can be sent to ashleycastle@ozfish.org.au
Background
The World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) is the preeminent and largest international conference focusing on optimising the research, management and societal benefits of recreational fisheries. It attracts recreational fisheries experts, managers, researchers, policymakers, industry professionals and fishing leaders from around the globe. Held every three years, the WRFC is the global venue to discuss and share opportunities and challenges in managing recreational fisheries. The conference typically brings together over 300+ delegates from around 20 countries, including thought leaders, change-makers and the global recreational fishing community to share their vision, science, experience, issues and solutions across a range of themes at the forefront of recreational fisheries management, science, and leadership.
The WRFC began in 1996 and has since been held locations including Ireland (Dublin), Canada (Vancouver), Australia (Darwin), Norway (Trondheim), USA (Fort Lauderdale), Germany (Berlin), Brasil (Campinas), Canada (Victoria) and Netherlands (Rotterdam/online). In 2020, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), in partnership with Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), VRFish, Futurefish Foundation and Women in Recreational Fishing Network (WIRF) led a bid to host the 10th WRFC in Melbourne Australia. The bid was successful, and in February 2023, the VFA and partners held the 10th WRFC in Australia at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre. The Conference attracted 360 delegates from 20 countries and was highly beneficial for information exchange and networking regarding best practice recreational fisheries management.
The next and 11th WRFC is being held in South Africa on 21st-26th February 2026. The Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for Australian recreational fishing leaders and emerging leaders to learn, share information and network with the best recreational fisheries experts from over 20 countries worldwide and testing our current approaches with the best minds internationally.
Key Information
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation and Victorian Fisheries Authority have submitted an application and secured funding from the Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) to lead a delegation bursary program that will provide an opportunity for up to 14 participants to attend the 11th World Recreational Fishing Conference in South Africa 2026.
The program aims to:
1. Build domestic capacity, capability, empowerment and increase knowledge within and across the recreational fishing sector by examining and actively engaging with world’s best practice in recreational fisheries management, science, policy, stewardship, and advocacy.
2. Establish, strengthen and further develop effective national and international networks, contributing to the ongoing development of the Australian recreational fishing Community of Practice (CoP).
3. Educate Australian recreational fishing practitioners on relevant international recreational fisheries initiatives for adaptation and inclusion in strategic and operational plans in Australia.
4. Gain expert feedback through discourse and engagement with the international recreational fisheries community on Australian initiatives, which will inform improved practice and outcomes in Australian recreational fisheries.
The Bursary program
Each bursary will cover costs associated with the trip (minus a required participant co-contribution – see below) including airfares, twin share accommodation, conference fees (including breakfast and dinners), travel, site visits and meeting costs associated with the study tour. This is estimated at $4,500-6,000 per bursary.
Personal travel insurance is required and may be at own cost if it cannot be covered by the budgeted bursary. Incidentals, including additional meals and any additional activities undertaken will be at successful bursary applicants’ own expense.
Bursary Participant Categories
The “Leader” category (n=5) is intended to strengthen the Australian Recreational Fishing Community of Practice by ensuring ongoing capability development and engagement of established leaders in recreational fishing with the international recreational fishing community and world best practice. This category will include one nomination of one from each the recognised jurisdictional peak bodies (ARFF Members) in each of WA, SA, TAS and Victoria.
One leader from QLD with the nomination of a full ARFF member (national peak organisation or similar) will also be invited, and a representative from NSW and NT will also be attending as co-tour leaders and are funded under the same arrangement detailed below.
The organisations nominating a “leader” participants must provide an upfront co-funding contribution of $1,500 per participant. Peak bodies will be contacted with further information regarding nominations for this category and should not nominate their Leader participant through the EOI process for “Emerging Leaders”.
The ”Emerging Leaders” category (n=6) is intended to contribute to the growth and diversity of the Australian Recreational Fishing Community of Practice by supporting capacity and capability development, and engagement with national leaders, the international recreational fishing community and world best practice. Nominations are being sought from ARFF members and the broader recreational fishing sector. It is intended to balance as best as possible diverse participation and jurisdictional equity. Participants must be able to demonstrate the support of a recognised peak body or relevant organisation and must be able to provide a co-funding contribution of $650 (in addition to any extra expenses).
Expressions of Interest Process for ‘Emerging leader’ participants
The competitive expression of interest (EOI) merit-based process asks applicants to:
1. Detail the key topics/issues/focus areas they would like to explore on the study tour that would benefit recreational fisheries in Australia (30% weighting) (e.g. maximising social licence to operate, angler stewardship and contribution to habitat restoration, harvest strategy application in recreational fisheries, encouraging diversity in fishing, maintaining participation and licence sales, community-based education programs, first nations management issues etc).
2. Demonstrate the support of a recognised relevant peak body, and/or their participation, engagement and leadership in the Australian recreational fishing community. (30% weighting)
3. Demonstrate benefits to Australian recreational fisheries and alignment with the six pathways and ten outcomes listed in the Recreational Fishing Research, Development & Extension Strategy 2024-2029 (20% weighting)
4. Demonstrate what communication channels they will contribute and use to share and disseminate their learnings, engagement and experience (20% weighting)
Participants may include individuals working for recreational sector peak bodies, volunteers, fisheries management, small business owners & employees, public policy employees, researchers working on applied research and agents of influence.
Please note, successful applicants will be expected to contribute to extension, communications and reporting activities during and after the conference and associated activities.
Timelines
9 – 26 October 2025: Expressions of Interest application period
27 – 31 October 2025: Application assessment process conducted by Selection Committee
November 2025: Successful bursary applicants announced and contacted. Flights, accommodation and car hire booked, Conference registration completed, added value recreational fishing experiences confirmed and booked.
November 2025 – February 2026: Successful bursary applicants connected, key topics/issues/opportunities developed, reporting and communications planned.
~19-20 February 2026: Successful bursary applicants depart Australia
22-26 February 2026: WRFC workshops, keynote presentations, concurrent sessions and networking to developing leadership qualities and knowledge of best-practice recreational fisheries management.
~26-27 February 2026: Final bursary dinner and debrief before departing South Africa and returning to Australia
Additional information
Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprising the project co-leads, an ARFF nominee, and an FRDC representative.
Successful applicants will be encouraged to develop a deeper list of issues and ideas that they want to explore at the conference. Engagement will occur with supported applicants in the lead up to the WRFC to assist in progressing these issues.
Invitations will be extended to other Australians attending the conference to participate in the delegation as full fee-paying participants. This will foster inclusiveness, add to the diversity of participants and provide greater opportunity to develop the Australian Recreational Fishing Community of Practice.
To assist networking, Emerging Leaders will be connected with one another and will be encouraged to contact other members of the Australian delegation to discuss their interest areas and foster camaraderie, informal mentorship and support during the conference.
For further information, feel free to contact the project co-leads:
Taylor Hunt – Manager of Recreational Fisheries, Victorian Fisheries Authority
Email: taylor.hunt@vfa.vic.gov.au
Mobile: 0418 478 028
David Ciaravolo – Chief Executive Officer, Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT)
Email: ceo@afant.com.au
Mobile: 0415 471 600
Cassie Price – Chief Executive Officer, OzFish Unlimited
Email: Cassieprice@ozfish.org.au
Mobile: 0402 408 791
Emerging Leaders Bursary Application Checklist
Please include the following details in your application:
– Full Name
– Position/role
– Organisation/company
– Phone number
Please confirm your ability to pay the $650 co-contribution upfront if successful, as well as any additional expenses not covered by the bursary, including extra meals and activities, which will be at your own cost. – YES/NO
Please insert your responses under the following questions on your application.
1. Detail the key topics/issues/focus areas you would like to explore on the study tour that would benefit recreational fisheries in Australia (30% weighting) (e.g. maximising social licence to operate, angler stewardship and contribution to habitat restoration, harvest strategy application in recreational fisheries, encouraging diversity in fishing, maintaining participation and licence sales, community-based education programs, first nations management issues etc).
2. Demonstrate the support of a recognised relevant peak body, and/or your participation, engagement and leadership in the Australian recreational fishing community. (30% weighting) *Please include an attached letter or email of support from a recognised peak body or relevant organisation
3. Demonstrate benefits of your participation to Australian recreational fisheries and alignment with the six pathways and ten outcomes listed in the Recreational Fishing Research, Development & Extension Strategy 2024-2029 (20% weighting)
4. Demonstrate what communication channels you will contribute, and can use to share and disseminate your learnings, engagement and experience (20% weighting)
Please send all applications through to ashleycastle@ozfish.org.au.