RecFish SA will work with the state government to implement policies and strategies designed to increase and diversify participation in recreational fishing activities.

They will also have a key role in:

• Advising government on infrastructure priorities
• Natural resource management
• Providing representation on advisory committees, councils and forums
• Promoting the benefits of fishing for regional tourism
• Providing a primary avenue for consultation between government and the recreational fishing community

RecFish SA will also be able to help fishing clubs apply for grants and funding as they now can with recreational fishing now being able to apply for particular grants through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven said that delivering on this commitment ensures a strong, independent voice for the many thousands of recreational fishers in South Australia who are deeply passionate, not only about fishing but also about maintaining sustainable resources so that their children, and their children’s children can fish in South Australian waters for many years to come.

Quotes attributable to Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development

I am pleased that we have delivered on our election commitment to reinstate RecFish SA as the peak body for recreational fishing in South Australia.

This will give the recreational fishing community a direct point of contact and the opportunity to be heard by government to inform decisions that impact upon them.

I look forward to actively working with RecFish SA to ensure improved outcomes for Recreational Fishers right across the state.

Quotes attributable to Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing

Recreational fishing is enjoyed along our beautiful coast and inland waterways all over South Australia. We want existing and new fishers to enjoy the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing benefits that come with doing so.

Re-empowering RecFish SA as the peak body for recreational fishing in South Australia will ensure a voice for fishers going forward. We look forward to continuing to meet with them and fishers across the state and want to work to ensure their voice is heard.

The State Government is fulfilling a number of commitments made to the recreational fishing community, including recognising recreational fishing as an activity in the sport and recreation sector.

We also have a strong focus on encouraging more women and people from diverse communities to become involved and I look forward to working with RecFish SA and other stakeholders to achieve this.

Quotes attributable to Barry Brown, RecFish SA Chair

RecFish SA is the peak community recreational fishing organisation in SA and since 1975 we have worked tirelessly to achieve better fishing for SA’s 277,000 recreational fishers.

We are pleased that the Labor Government has followed through on its election commitment to empower RecFish SA as the strong, independent representative voice on recreational fishing.

The State Government has now recognised recreational fishing as an active recreation, which means it can now receive grant funding from the recreation and sport portfolio.

Recreational fishing delivers immense social and economic benefits to many regional locations. Tackle shops, grocery stores, petrol stations and caravan parks all rely on people visiting their area to fish.

The State Government has advised that they want to increase participation in recreational fishing, and this is strongly supported by RecFish SA. There are many opportunities to achieve this, developing jetties and boat ramps, protecting key recreational species and providing access to everyone interested in fishing.