Angling groups respond to Productivity Commission

The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s draft report into Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture. One of the conclusions states that recreational fishers need greater recognition in fisheries management, and decisions on restrictions and facilities for fishers require development of a sound evidence base.

"We welcome the Productivity Commission’s conclusions in relation to the need for greater recognition of recreational fishing by Governments and in particular for fisheries management. We are pleased that they have listened to recreational fishing stakeholders in developing their report," Managing Director of ARFF Allan Hansard said.

"We agree with the Productivity Commission that recreational fishing needs to be better accounted for in a value and volume sense and consideration needs to be given to the the highest and best use of the fish resource to inform decisions on fisheries management and resource sharing.

"However, it should be noted that recreational fishing is now highly regulated through bag, size limits and in some cases through closed seasons and restrictions on gear used. Fisheries scientists with the aim of sustainably managing fish stocks now set these regulations. In some cases they are more stringent than for commercial fishers.

"We also agree with the Productivity Commission that the value of recreational fishing is becoming more important than commercial fishing to many coastal communities. In these cases we consider a rebalancing of fisheries management with recreational fishers having a greater say in this management is warranted.

Mr Hansard also noted the call by the Productivity Commission for a well-designed licensing system across Australia as a mechanism to better account for recreational fishing activities. While this has merit, as is evidenced by the track record of a number of existing States with licenses, authorities need to be clear about the objectives of a national approach to licensing.

"Recreational fishers would need to have a significant say in any proposed expansion of licensing, how it is administered and what revenues are used for. We would need to see the benefit/ cost analysis before any decisions are made on this approach," he said.

"These conclusions by the Productivity Commission build a strong case for recreational fishing to be appropriately recognised by Governments and have a genuine seat at the table when it comes to determining the management of some of our key fisheries, not only at the State level but also in relation to our Commonwealth fisheries," Mr Hansard concluded.

Other fishing groups haven't been quite so supportive, with Sunfish in Queensland rebuking any suggestion it's state fishers aren't kicking the tin and that they need a fishing licence, and the Amateur Fishermen's Association of the Northern Territory, Tassie rec fishing groups, and those in South Aussie feeling much the same way about licencing.

Many state angling bodies and the ARFF will be providing detailed responses to the draft report by the Productivity Commission. You can read this in full at

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report on Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture and will be conducting public hearings around Australia where people can talk about issues raised in the report. To attend a hearing or make a submission for the final report people should go to the website at www.pc.gov.au.

*The Productivity Commission is an advisory body. It does not administer government programs or exercise executive power. It contributes by providing quality, independent advice and information to governments, and on the communication of ideas and analysis.