Political parties' policies before NSW state elections
Leading up to the NSW State Elections on 25 March 2023, the RFA will share any party political policies or statements that relate to recreational fishing. 

On 8 March the Recreational Fishing Alliance contacted major political parties and some independents to get their views on issues important to recreational anglers. We have replies from some, but not all. The document attached shows their replies in detail.

The issues we asked the parties whether they supported were:

1. Support the formation of a NSW Recreational Fishing Statutory Authority that, in cooperation with government agencies, would have the role of overseeing recreational fisheries management
2. Support an independent review of the Recreational Fishing Trusts and how anglers’ licence funds are spent
3. Support pausing the current review of NSW marine parks until a full review of the NSW Government’s drafts has been made by their Advisory Committees and by key stakeholders such as the RFA of NSW, before any wider community consultation occurs
4. Support a review of how the Environmental Protection Agency and Water NSW deal with water quality issues, especially the dumping of sewage in NSW waterways
5. Support a review of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and the Marine Estate Management Act 2014, with the aim of recognising the right to fish recreationally, provide in legislation to compensate recreational fishers for loss of access in any Recreational Fishing Haven or similar area, and to reinstate the right to fish recreationally in marine parks (as under the original Marine Parks Act 1997)
6. The Office of Sport in NSW should officially recognise recreational fishing as a sport
7. Review the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016, firstly to consider and recognise all forms of effective rock fishing safety attire, and secondly to ensure that all fine revenue collected under the Act is actually returned to the Recreational Fishing (Saltwater) Trust Fund, as required under the Act, and is used for rock fishing safety education
8. Increase access to all our waterways with better, safer boat ramps, parking opportunities, land-based options like fishing platforms and greater access to national and marine parks in NSW.

Labor supported some points, partial support on several but did not support one, and made a non-cimmital comment on another. Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party supported all points. Independents Phil Donato (Orange) and Roy Butler (Barwon) supported all points. No response was received from the Coalition.

Click to open results table:


In addition:
NSW One Nation has published a Fishing Policy at this link.
The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party has a policy statement at this link. They also released a video of a conversation with Stan Konstantaras, President of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, at this link.
NSW Labor has released a statement on opening up Prospect Reservoir for recreational fishing, read it at this link.
Liberal/Nationals coalition made an announcement 'Upgraded facilities across NSW waterways' read it at this link, No other policy information has been received.
NSW Labor's Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Veitch also sent the RFA the following statement:
NSW Labor Recreational Fishing Policy:

1. NSW Labor will consult and review the best funding and governance models to establish a statutory Recreational Fishing industry body – RecFishNSW. NSW Labor will legislate the establishment of this body. This will ensure that representation is fair, expert-based, independent and in part elected by recreational fishing licensees. 
2. We will conduct an audit of the Recreational Fishing Trust and act on any recommendations presented by the audit.
3. We will engage with all stakeholders to actively increase participation rates of women and people with a disability. This will include an audit of public fishing infrastructure and amenities to make fishing more accessible and welcoming for women and people with disabilities. We will also evaluate the Queensland and Victorian programs to determine a suitable participation strategy for NSW.
4. NSW Labor will review the Trout Cod program and develop a long-term plan to save the native fish.
5. Labor also commits to implementing all recommendations of the Legislative Council Inquiry into the Commencement of the Fisheries Management Amendment Act 2009, including actively engaging Indigenous Compliance Officers. 

South West Anglers Association met with Minister Dugald Saunders

Chris Beale (SWAA), Scott Barrett MLC, Jim Muirhead, Dugald Saunders Minister Agriculture (Fisheries) & Western NSW, Peta Betts Nationals Candidate Murray, Russell Harris (SWAA), Terry Maloney (SWAA).
 
Following attempts to meet with some of the local members and candidates that represent their region in the lead up to the NSW State election South West Anglers Association (a member of the RFA of NSW) was successful in gaining some time with the Nationals Candidate for Murray Ms Peta Betts at Finley.                                                                

However, that meeting developed into something more, when they also had at that meeting the Minister for Agriculture (Fisheries) and Western NSW Mr Dugald Saunders as well as Nationals MLC Scott Barrett. The scheduled meeting of one hour extended for closer to an hour and a half and covered a multitude of issues important to SWAA. 
                                                                                                   
The agenda followed the SWAA document that was compiled with members' consultation. Discussions on the Trout Cod review, access for recreational fishers, Trust Fund management, boating infrastructure and the calls for a Recreational Fishing Peak Body were discussed along with a number of other issues. 

Discussions were open and honest and the time that political representatives gave to these issues was very much appreciated. SWAA acknowledges the generosity of these members (and potential member) as well as the local National Party branch for making this meeting possible.

It is regrettable that some of the other locals could not respond to an organisation that represents the recreational fishing interests in this region. After all, recreational fishing is enjoyed by over a million people in NSW, contributes around $4 billion to the NSW economy as well about $15 million into the Recreational Fishing Trusts.

Fishing in New Zealand extra $50 a day?

New Zealand Fish & Game is proposing a new freshwater fishing licence for non-resident anglers who fish in 'Designated Waters', to 'manage angling pressure in sensitive fisheries'. A number of fisheries would be named as Designated Waters, and any angler wishing to fish these fisheries would be required to hold a 'Designated Waters' licence. 

For non-resident anglers this would be additional DAILY licence...even though visiting anglers already need to have a Whole Season Licence at a cost of $250.00 (much higher that the resident licence which costs just $145.00). 

It is proposed that the additional daily licences for Designated Waters will cost between $35-50 per day. They will be set for a nominated calendar day (not a 24 hr period).

Non-resident anglers would only be able to buy three to six Designated Waters licences in each Fish and Game region each year, and then they would have to fish in another Fish and Game region where they could purchase additional Designated Waters licences. But note that if you have a favourite stream, you will now only be able to fish in it three to six days in a year.

Resident anglers would only need to purchase a Designated Waters Licence at a cost of $5 and that would cover them for the full season. It's not clear if resident anglers need a licence for each Designated Water or whether that covers all of them.

It's not clear how non-resident anglers would book fishing days in the Designated Waters, how they would nominate the days, how far ahead they could book, whether they could cancel or transfer bookings in case of bad weather or other unforeseen events, or whether they could get credits for licences bought but not used. (The NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers twice tried to contact NZ Field & Game to double check these details but didn't get a response.)

The 'Designated Waters' seem likely to be the waters that are currently classified as 'Backcountry' waters, and which currently require an additional Back Country Licence on top of the annual licence (but that Backcountry is currently available without any additional fee.) 

Those Backcountry waters are:

Wellington
- Rangitikei River
- Whakaurekou River

Nelson/Marlborough
- Goulter River
- Matakitaki River
- Travers River
- Wairau River

West Coast
- Karamea River
- Mokihinui River

North Canterbury
- Hope River
- Hurunui River, Upper & South Branch
- Waiau River

Central South Island
- Ohau River

Otago
- Caples River
- Dingle Burn
- Greenstone River
- Hunter River
- Lochy River
- Nevis River
- Pomahaka River
- Wilkin River
- Young River

Southland
- Clinton River
- Ettrick Burn
- Upper Oreti River
- Worsley River

Final decisions on which rivers/streams to classify as Designated Waters will be made by regional Fish & Game Councils and will apparently be reviewed annually. There are more details at https://fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/designated-waters-licence-proposal/

To sum up, non-resident anglers are not only charged twice the licence fee as locals to fish,but they will be charged extra daily fees and will be restricted to fewer days fishing in each Designated Waters region. 

NZ Fish & Game has a consultation survey at this link: https://newsletter.fishandgame.org.nz/t/y-DD88CE46454D911D2540EF23F30FEDED.

If you fish in NZ it might be worth completing the survey, which is only open until 27 March.

Massive fish kill at Menindee

Millions of fish have been killed in heatwave conditions in the Darling River near Menindee. They are mostly bony bream but Murray cod and golden perch are also among them. Latest reports are that this fish kill is worse than previous fish kills in 2018 and 2019.

Clean up planning seems to have started but without much real action on the ground at this stage...according to media reports cleanup has only just started on Wednesday 22 March. Curiously the lead role in this seems to be the NSW Police (an officer based at Dubbo 700 km away) not DPI Fisheries not Water NSW, and not NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.

Read more on ABC News website at this link .

Richard Kingsford also published an article 'How did millions of fish die gasping in the Darling – after three years of rain?' on The Conversation website pointing the finger at the irrigation industry...see this link.

Glyphosate into northern NSW rivers

River conservation and protection group River Guardians at Nambucca was recently made aware of the continual use of herbicides (glyphosate) and chemical fertilisers at a sporting facility on the Nambucca River with spray being applied to the entire shoreline.

Chemical residues have disastrous long term impacts on micro-organisms and sensitive habitat. Sadly, most of it goes completely unnoticed and unchecked, until you see the footprint it leaves behind.

How the relevant authorities allow this practice to continue, with everything they know about its devastating long-term impacts is inexcusable. A quick look at the chemical drums being disposed of on-site tells the story.

River Guardians says the community needs to look closer and ask questions of local authorities. Ignorance and apathy is killing their local river.

Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council members announced 
The Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council was established to provide the NSW Minister for Primary Industries with high-level strategic policy advice on issues relating to the management of fisheries resources in NSW. This includes broad advice to assist with the management of commercial fishing, recreational/charter fishing and Aboriginal cultural fishing as well as issues which impact across fisheries and sectors such as resource sharing, co-management, cost recovery and ecosystem based fisheries management. 

The new Council is:
Chair – Dr James Findlay GAICD
Mr Greg Finn
Mr Matthew Hansen
Mr Mark Bulley
Assoc Prof Stephan Schnierer
Ms Jo-Anne McCrea

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council announced
The new RFNSW Advisory Council has been announced:

Independent Chair: Professor Johann Bell
Region 1 - Mid & Far North Coast: Patrick Linehan
Region 2 - Lower North Coast: Paul Lennon
Region 3 - Sydney & Central Coast: Grahame Williams OAM
Region 3 - Sydney & Central Coast: Prof Anna Clark
Region 4 - Illawarra: Vicki Lear
Region 5 - South Coast: Dean Hamilton
Region 6 - North West Inland (and MFAC representative): Matthew Hansen
Region 7 - South West Inland: Karl Mathers
Region 8 - Central & Southern Tablelands: Ray Tang
Region 8 - Central & Southern Tablelands: Bill Blair
Charter Boat Fishing: Peter Dugan
Spear Fishing: Ian Puckeridge
Social Benefits of Recreational Fishing: Matthew Tripet
Nominee of Secretary: Peter Turnell, Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

New NSW trout fishing regulations gazetted
Updated trout and salmon fishing regulations for NSW were published in the NSW Government Gazette on 2 March 2023. They cover all rules and regulations for NSW. You can read or download at this link. 

Want to know where your NSW licence money goes?
The latest available summary of new projects recommended for funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts  is online at this link.

Lost access to your local spot?
The RFA wants to know if your local spot has been closed to fishing so drop us a line and let us know what access you have lost recently. Email us. 

Pensioners and fishing licences 
​If you're the holder of a current Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs you don’t need to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee.

If you've been issued with one of these Concession Cards there is no need to pay any fees or fill in any forms - just take that card with you when you go fishing.

Promote your fishing club or community fishing event
If you have a local fishing competition or a charity or community fishing event, we are always happy to give it some publicity in this newsletter.

The newsletter goes out around the 25th day of every month of the year, to over 4,000 subscribers. You don’t have to be a member of the RFA of NSW. About 100-200 words is OK, however roughly written, and we always like a picture.

Who represents anglers?
We regularly get comments from anglers that they don't know who is on the advisory committees to the NSW government and that they don't know what issues are considered and decided by those committees. The information is on the web, but not always easy to find, so here are the links:

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council 
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfnsw

Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfftec

Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfstec

Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Facebook page
www.facebook.com/RFANSW

NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NSWCFA

RFA videos now on YouTube channel