NSW One Nation – Fishing Policy
NSW One Nation acknowledges the importance of recreational fishing to the NSW Economy and supports the rights of its residents to ‘wet a line’ in their past time. NSW has more than 1 million recreational fishers who embrace the great outdoors and contribute over $3 billion dollars to the state economy.
One Nation recognises that recreational fishing has many health benefits which not only include the physical advantages of being active, but also, the mental health benefits gained by undertaking an activity that brings people together and immense enjoyment to many.
We recognise and encourage recreational fishing as it is a pastime that is available to all regardless of gender, race, age, physical ability and financial status.
Access to fishing grounds, both coastal and inland waterways, must be available to the residents of this state and One Nation rejects the exclusion of recreational anglers from the ever-expanding marine parks.
One Nation supports greater investment to bring this state back to being the premier destination for recreational fishing. This would include better boat ramps, jetties, fishing platforms, and parking facilities in and around popular fishing locations. NSW could be a destination of choice for interstate and overseas visitor through advertising campaigns directed towards the fishing community.
One Nation believes that a legislative review is required in relation to the laws and regulations that unnecessarily restrict and hinder this vibrant recreational activity. Currently the rules are too complicated and must be simplified so that they can be easily understood and accepted by casual fishers.
Increase the opportunity for fishing by opening additional public lands such as Crown Reserves, National Parks, and Marine Parks to the recreational fishing community.
Enhance the natural fish habitat by investing in and maintaining fish populations by restocking waterways with native species whilst providing incentives to eradicate the devasting introduced species of fish such as European Carp and Mosquito Fish.
One Nation will not allow the continued destruction of an industry and hobby. We will stand up and fight for the long held past time that is recreational fishing.
Our 12-point plan involves:
- Transparency of fishing licence and boat registration fees to ensure the government contribution to the management of recreational fishing is restored to the agreed levels of 2001.
- Restocking of inland waterway with local native fish species.
- Targeting the removal of destructive introduced fish species.
- Opening of Marine Parks to sustainable recreational fishing and not further limiting fishing grounds.
- Review of all legislation relating to the recreational fishing industry to remove unnecessary and complicated restrictions.
- Opening public lands, in particular national parks, to increase access to fishing locations.
- Investing in research, development, and expansion of the industry at a level complimentary to the size and importance fishing provides to this state.
- Capitalize on the fishing tourism opportunities by developing a targeted advertising program both interstate and internationally.
- Partner with Local Councils to improve and expand facilities for recreational fishing such as boat ramps, jetties, parking, and cleaning facilities.
- Calling on the NSW Office of Sport to officially recognise recreational fishing as a sport so as to enable greater government partnership and investment.
- Including the social and health benefits of fishing when calculating the value of the industry to this state.
- Opposing the radical agenda pursued by the Animal Justice Party to bring crustaceans and fish under the coverage of animal welfare laws.
- Support a sustainable commercial fishing sector, recognising both its economic worth to the States economy but also its crucial role in supplying fresh local caught seafood.
- To underpin the commercial fishing industry we fully support and endorse ‘country of origin’ and ‘naming of seafood’ legislation to provide consumers with that important information.