NSW $18 million funding for recreational fishing programs

The Minns Labor Government has today announced more than $18 million of funding for world-class programs to boost recreational fishing across the State.

The Government’s commitment to making recreational fishing more accessible to everyone and ensuring its continues to contribute to the local economies of communities around NSW is being realised with today’s announcement.

This investment in recreational fishing includes:

• $5 million for recreational fishing enhancement and improving access
• $3 million for Fishcare Volunteers, schools education, fishing workshops and communication with recreational fishers
• $3 million for research and monitoring programs
• $3 million for detecting and preventing illegal fishing and protecting fisheries resources
• $2 million to restore and improve fish habitat
• $2 million for a digital and over-the-counter licence payment system.

In 2023/24, more than 400,000 recreational fishing licences were issued, with revenue from these sales flowing into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and then back to fund programs and projects that support and grow recreational fishing activity and the environment for vibrant fish habitats.

Some of the key programs for NSW approved for funding in 2024/25 include:

• Deployment of additional Fish Aggregating Devices along the coast
• Two new Offshore Artificial Reefs to be constructed and deployed in 2025
• Fish stocking, to boost stocks of native fish, salmonids and marine species
• Fishing workshops and Try Fishing Sessions for the community delivered by DPIRD
• Fishcare Volunteer Program so volunteers can help run or participate in fishing workshops, surveys, school incursions and community fishing events
• Habitat Action Grants and Flagship Habitat Grants to improve fish habitats

Funding for these programs is reviewed by the Trust Expenditure Committees and the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council, before going to the Minister for approval.

In addition, last month the NSW Government announced that 24 projects that applied for grants from the Recreational Fishing Trusts in 2024/25 have received funding of $1.8 million.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“Recreational fishing is fun for families and good for small local regional businesses and that is why the Minns Government is keen to make good investments in programs and infrastructure that will ensure this activity can be sustainably ongoing.

“As well as enhancing fishing, many of these programs help drive economic growth in the regions through fishing tourism and business opportunities, while also providing significant ecological and productivity benefits.

“This year our world-leading fish stocking program has seen over 5.3 million freshwater and marine fish stocked into NSW waterways, providing a boost to recreational fishing, conservation outcomes, employment and local economies.

“Fishing enhancement programs like the Offshore Artificial Reefs and fish attraction devices (FADs) deliver quality sportfishing opportunities and are a popular drawcard for locals and tourists alike.

“To ensure that our fishing stocks and habitats are not depleted or over fished we also invest in compliance and administering fishing rules so that a small number of bad actors are not ruining it for everyone else.”

Chair of Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW), Professor Johann Bell said:

“It’s great to see the money raised through the recreational fishing licence fees going back to the programs that support recreational fishing across the State.

“These wide-ranging programs will continue to roll out significant benefits for the sector and ensure quality fishing opportunities in NSW into the future.”