With the Queensland Election scheduled for October 26th and Pre-Poll (early voting) starting on Monday, October 14th, AFTA offers recreational fishers an analysis of the actions and proposals of the two main political parties.
AFTA is the national peak body representing Australia’s recreational fishing industry. Our membership spans all aspects of recreational fishing, including manufacturers, wholesale distributors, retail, media, and charter operations, thus connecting us to every recreational fishing participant.
AFTA remains strictly non-partisan; our aim is not to influence your vote but to compile information shared with AFTA for you to consider during the election period.
In Queensland, 26% of adults engage in recreational fishing, which surpasses the Australian average of 21.4%. The state’s recreational fishing sector contributes roughly $2.52 billion to the economy and accounts for 23,602 full-time equivalent jobs, including $1.04 billion and 9,025 jobs in Greater Brisbane, as well as $1.48 billion and 14,577 jobs in regional Queensland. This industry directly employs 10,142 individuals in charter fishing, sales of fishing equipment, tackle & bait, accommodation and retail businesses visited by recreational fishers.
AFTA submitted its policy manifesto to both the ALP and LNP on May 14th, with an update on September 18th, for their review and potential inclusion in their 2024 policy platforms.
Furthermore, AFTA notified each party on September 24th that any policy commitments received by October 9th would be published, with no further analysis or extensive distribution after this date due to the start of Pre-Poll on October 14th.
Regardless of the election outcome, AFTA is dedicated to working with governments at all levels and the commercial sector to grow and develop our industry across Queensland and the entirety of Australia.
AFTA posed the following questions to both the Labor and LNP Parties from the AFTA Qld policy manifesto:
AFTA Trade Show – Public Day Sponsorship
Does your party commit to financial support of $35k annually to maintain AFTA Trade Show “Public Day” as a free family event promoting recreational fishing and participation?
Fisheries Management:
Will your party appoint a Fisheries Management Advisory Committee with representatives from the recreational, commercial, fishing tourism, and Indigenous Traditional fishing sectors to oversee the planning and execution of all fishery Management Frameworks and Harvest Strategies?
Will your party establish a Ministerial Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee to report directly to the Minister on specific issues relating to the recreational fishing sector?
Spanish Mackerel:
Does your party commit to further detailed and comprehensive scientific studies, in collaboration with FRDC, on Spanish Mackerel aggregation, breeding patterns (triggers), and locations for reliable future science?
Does your party commit to a peer review of the Spanish Mackerel science and adhere to its recommendations?
Will your party review the bag limit of 1 per person and a maximum boat limit of 2, supporting a limit of 2 per person and 4 per boat?
Gillnetting Closures:
Will your Party commit to phasing out gillnets in the Mary River?
Will your Party commit to phasing out gillnets in Moreton Bay?
Saltwater Fish Restocking:
Will your Party develop a funded program for restocking native species such as barramundi, kingfish, dusky flathead, snapper, whiting, bream, and mulloway?
Will your Party invest in new hatcheries or procure stock through existing hatcheries in Queensland or interstate?
Shark Depredation:
Will your Party continue the 3-year study addressing shark depredation?
Saddle Tail Snapper:
Will your Party support any management changes to fisheries and rules that do not limit or impact recreational participation?
Recreational “only” catch species:
Will your Party explore a list of “recreational Only” catch species to support a sustainable fishery and a true harvest sharing strategy?
To date, the only policy document received by AFTA is the $100 million policy commitment from the ALP, which covers fishing, boating, and camping.
Over several years, AFTA has vigorously campaigned for the removal of gillnets, leading to their scheduled elimination on the GBR and parts of the Gulf—a noteworthy accomplishment.
While the LNP expressed concerns about the removal of gillnets on September 14th, 2023, their issues mainly involve the implementation timeline and the lack of consultation with communities and commercial fishers.
Despite several positive discussions with Tony Perrott, LNP Shadow Minister, it is rather disappointing that Recreational Fishers have not received a written policy commitment from the LNP before voting commenced.
AFTA wishes all candidates well; we look forward to working with whoever forms a government after October 26th.