First launched at the National Recreational Fishing Forum on the Gold Coast in 2015 by founder Craig Copeland, OzFish has grown rapidly in its first decade. Beginning with one project, 53 members and one staff member in 2015, it now has 110+ projects, thousands of members and 45+ staff.
Every year, OzFish members and supporters across Australia volunteer 40,475 hours to help support the production of 1,131,255 more fish.
OzFish’s CEO, Cassie Price, recalls the charity’s origins, “I knew we had an opportunity to build an organisation that did things differently. OzFish would bring together people and science, and it would bridge different perspectives – environmental non-government and fishing advocacy – and I wanted to be part of that.”
“What surprised me was how quickly most of the fishing community and conservation community got it and wanted to be part of it, too.”
In 2018, BCF became OzFish’s major sponsor. Ms Price said, “After years of short-term funding, this allowed us to confidently expand our work across the nation and think long-term, and we are eternally grateful to BCF’s customers who give their change at the checkout and fuel our restoration activities.”
OzFish’s current on-ground projects include shellfish reef restoration and shell recycling, seagrass, kelp, wetland and mangrove and saltmarsh restoration citizen science including mapping and water quality testing, litter reduction, riverbank planting and pest species control, and bushfire, drought and flood recovery initiatives, including emergency fish rescues.
Ms Price said, “Over the next 10 years, I see us embedding more fully into the fabric of recreational fishing in Australia, and sustainable fishing becoming something we lead as part of every-day fishing.”
“I see us working with all levels of government and other partners to support and motivate recreational fishers and other passionate locals to work towards results on a bigger scale for shellfish and seagrass restoration, the Murray Darling Basin, and leading a shift in thinking with our Tackling Litter and Fish Dreaming programs.”
“I look forward to continuing to work with the fantastic people that OzFish attracts – our members, staff, volunteers, partners, and everyone that lends a hand. They’ve got great hearts and bring so much energy, and it is that which brings OzFish to life.”
“We all joke that we could write a book about the challenges and madness that we can face in restoration, when we have no other agenda other than to improve the degraded environment that we all live in, and to support the creation of more native fish.”
“But we’re still here, and we are still thriving, and we are dedicated to our mission, with increasing urgency.”
This year, OzFish publicly advocated for awareness and solutions for the fish kill events in New South Wales and South Australia.
OzFish is also a member of the Restoration Decade Alliance, that warns Australia has just five years remaining to halt environmental destruction and limit the impacts of climate change.
Ms Price urged recreational fishers to get out there and restore the nations waterways and create great recreational fishing experiences by joining OzFish a member, donating or volunteering at an event.
“The next five years are critical for the future of fishing. Join us and help restore the places you love to fish.”