Sydney, NSW — The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW (RFA of NSW) strongly condemns the recent actions of vegan activist Tash Peterson, who removed fishing rods from a father and son enjoying a day fishing at Bondi Beach — an act now widely covered in national media and social platforms.
Video footage from the incident shows the activist approaching a family’s fishing setup and removing rods while lecturing the father and his young child on the ethics of fishing — a lawful, harmless, and widely enjoyed outdoor pastime.
RFA of NSW Statement:
“The Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW is shocked and disappointed that a lawful family activity was disrupted in this manner. Fishing is a time-honoured outdoor pursuit that brings people of all ages together, strengthens family bonds, supports wellbeing, and contributes to local coastal communities. What took place at Bondi was not peaceful advocacy — it was an unwarranted intrusion into a father and son’s day out.”
Recreational Fishing Benefits:
Recreational fishing delivers numerous benefits to NSW communities:
- Family connection and mental wellbeing: Thousands of families fish together every year, building memories and teaching respect for nature.
- Responsible stewardship: Recreational fishers are among the most invested in sustainable marine environments, participating in voluntary clean-ups, citizen science reporting, and sustainable practice advocacy.
- Economic contribution: Recreational fishing supports local tourism, tackle retailers, charter operations, and hospitality businesses across NSW.
Call on NSW Minister for Primary Industries:
The RFA of NSW calls on the NSW Minister for Primary Industries to publicly reaffirm support for recreational fishers’ rights to enjoy lawful outdoor activities without harassment or interference. We urge decisive leadership to ensure that lawful recreational pursuits are protected — including clear messaging from the government that families enjoying the outdoors should not be accosted or have their equipment taken in the name of protest.
Supporting the Family:
We are also reaching out to the father and son affected by this incident. The RFA of NSW would like to extend support and a gesture of goodwill: a $200 tackle voucher is waiting for them as a way to reaffirm that the recreational fishing community stands with them. We invite the family to contact the RFA of NSW so we can personally deliver this gift.
Contact:
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
Stan Konstantaras
email: president@rfansw.com.au