In 2008 the then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Tony Burke MP announced the creation of a three-year (2008/09-2010/11), $2 million strategy relating to recreational fishing. The National Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy was established to help Australia’s recreational fishers, industry and governments work together to enhance recreational fishing and promote Australia’s thriving recreational fishing industry.
The Australian Government has supported several recreational fishing projects as part of implementing the Strategy. These projects target key concerns raised by the recreational fishing sector, and are being managed by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.
Projects have been funded in the following areas:
- Developing an improved understanding of the recreational catch in Australia
- Implementing a national education program relating to recreational fishing
- Identifying the health and well-being benefits of recreational fishing
- Developing future leaders for the recreational fishing sector
- Holding of a national conference on recreational fishing “Casting towards tomorrow – keeping Australia fishing”
- Understanding climate change impacts for recreational fishers
- Installing angel rings at key land-based fishing spots around Australia
- Determining the catch of Southern Bluefin Tuna by recreational fishers and charter boats in Australian waters
- Monitoring the take of key shark species in Commonwealth waters of Australia
