President Greg Seeto and Independent Chair, The Hon Bob Baldwin presented the following submission and gave evidence on Friday 3rd July at NSW Parliament on behalf of the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA)

Opening Statement – NSW Inquiry into Public Land & Waterway Access

Bob Baldwin – Chair, AFTA

Chair, and Honourable Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today.

My name is The Hon. Bob Baldwin, and I appear as the Independent Chair of the Australian Fishing Trade Association, alongside our President, Greg Seeto from Daiwa.

AFTA is the national peak body that represents the national recreational fishing industry — from manufacturers and wholesalers through to retailers and charter operators — and through that network, we are connected to the millions of Australians who participate in recreational fishing.

Recreational fishing is not a niche activity — it is a mainstream Australian pastime.

In New South Wales alone:

• Around one million people fish each year,
• Generating 10 million fishing days annually, and
• Contributing over $4 billion to the economy and nearly 34,000 jobs.

Importantly, almost half of that economic activity occurs in regional New South Wales, where small businesses and communities are directly dependent on participation in fishing.

The central issue we want to raise today is how “access” is being defined.

From AFTA’s perspective, the position is very clear:

Access must mean the ability to fish — not simply the ability to be present near water.

If waterways are open only to non‑extractive activities, then for the recreational fishing community, that is not access — it is a restriction.

We are also seeing increasing pressure on practical access, not just regulatory access.

The cumulative impact of:

• loss of shore access,
• vehicle restrictions,
• reduced boat launching infrastructure,
• limited safe entry points, and
• inadequate disability access

is steadily reducing participation — particularly in regional areas.

This is rarely caused by a single decision, but by a series of small restrictions that collectively have a large impact.

There is also an important human dimension that must not be overlooked.

Recreational fishing delivers significant mental health and wellbeing benefits.

Research supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has shown that fishing contributes to:

• reduced stress,
• improved mental health, and
• stronger social and family connection.

As identified in Australian research:

“Participants indicated there were several social, physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits… with a particular emphasis on relaxation and stress relief.”

In a modern policy context, that positions recreational fishing as a practical, low-cost, preventative health activity, particularly valuable in regional communities.

In closing, this Inquiry presents an important opportunity.

It is an opportunity to reinforce that:

• Access must be meaningful,
• Participation must be maintained, and
• Decisions must recognise both economic and social impacts.

Because when access is reduced, the consequences are not theoretical — they are felt directly by:

• small businesses,
• regional towns, and
• everyday Australians who simply want to go fishing.

AFTA looks forward to working constructively with the Committee, and I thank you for your consideration.

Submission to the NSW Parliament Inquiry into Access Restrictions into Public Land & Waterways

Implications for Recreational Fishing

1. Introduction

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the Inquiry into Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways.

AFTA is the national peak body representing Australia’s recreational fishing industry. Our membership spans the full supply chain — manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, media, and charter operators — and through them, we are connected to every recreational fishing participant in the country.

AFTA appear before the Committee with the AFTA President, Mr Greg Seeto (Daiwa), and Independent Chair, The Hon Bob Baldwin to outline the critical importance of maintaining meaningful and practical access to waterways for recreational fishing participants across New South Wales.

2. Scale of the Industry in New South Wales

Recreational fishing in NSW is supported by a substantial and diverse retail and supply network, including:

• 45 BCF stores
• 22 Anaconda stores
• 12 Compleat Angler stores
• 11 Tackleworld stores
• 356 independent retail outlets
• 87 Kmart stores
• 65 Big W stores
• 37 wholesalers
• 2 agencies

These businesses collectively supply approximately one million recreational fishers participating in NSW annually.

NSW does not operate a traditional licence system. Instead:

• Approximately 500,000 adults pay the Recreational Fishing Fee (RFF)
• Exemptions apply for under 18s, pensioners, Indigenous Australians and others

3. Participation and Economic Contribution

According to the National Recreational Fishing Survey (FRDC / ABARES / University of Canberra):

• 19.6% of adults in NSW and the ACT participated in fishing
• Representing 1.29 million people annually
• Generating approximately 10 million fishing days per year

Economic contribution (2019–20):

• $4.07 billion in economic activity
• 33,995 full-time equivalent jobs

Breakdown:

• Greater Sydney: $2.41 billion / 18,428 jobs
• Regional NSW: $1.47 billion / 14,065 jobs
• ACT: $190 million / 1,502 jobs

These figures demonstrate that recreational fishing is a significant contributor to the economic, social and regional fabric of NSW.

4. AFTA Position on Waterway Access

AFTA’s position is clear:

Access must mean the ability to fish—not merely the ability to be present at waterways.

A concerning issue emerging from this Inquiry is the shifting interpretation of “access”.
While some stakeholders consider waterways accessible if open to non-extractive activities, for the recreational fishing sector:

Access without the ability to fish is not access—it is restriction.

5. Practical Access and Infrastructure

Meaningful access depends on interconnected infrastructure. The cumulative effect of:

• Reduced shoreline access
• Vehicle access restrictions
• Limited moorings and launching points
• Loss of safe entry points
• Lack of disability-accessible infrastructure

is increasingly restricting participation.

This is particularly acute in regional NSW, where access limitations directly affect both community participation and local economies.

6. Social, Health and Community Benefits

Recreational fishing delivers substantial social and mental health benefits, supported by national research.

The National Recreational Fishing Survey (FRDC) confirms fishing contributes to:

• Improved wellbeing
• Increased social connection
• Higher levels of physical activity

FRDC-supported research by McManus et al. (2011) found:

“Participants indicated there were several social, physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to be gained from recreational fishing, with a particular emphasis on relaxation and stress relief.”

These benefits include:

• Stress reduction and relaxation
• Improved mental health outcomes
• Strong family and intergenerational connection

Recreational fishing uniquely combines:

• Nature exposure
• Water-based environments
• Physical activity
• Social engagement

This makes it a highly accessible, low-cost activity that contributes to preventative health and community wellbeing, particularly in regional areas.

7. Key Issues for Consideration

AFTA submits that the Committee should consider:

1. Definition of Access

• Access must include the ability to participate in fishing

2. Economic Impact

• Restrictions have direct and measurable impacts on:
  • Small businesses
  • Regional economies
  • Tourism

3. Participation and Inclusion

• Barriers disproportionately affect:
  • Regional communities
  • Older Australians
  • People with disabilities

4. Cumulative Impacts

• Incremental restrictions across infrastructure and access points reduce participation over time

8. Recommendations

AFTA urges the Committee to support:

1. Recognition of meaningful access, including the ability to fish
2. Evidence-based and proportionate decision-making
3. Recognition of recreational fishing as a legitimate use of public waterways
4. Improvements to accessibility and inclusive infrastructure
5. Avoidance of further restrictions that will:
   • Reduce participation
   • Impact regional economies
   • Harm small businesses

9. Conclusion

This Inquiry represents a critical opportunity to reinforce the importance of access in sustaining participation, supporting regional economies, and securing the long-term future of recreational fishing in NSW.

Further restrictions on access will have direct impacts on small businesses, regional communities, and the broader recreational fishing sector.

AFTA appreciates the Committee’s consideration and looks forward to contributing constructively to the Inquiry.