Key Points
A Rebecca White Labor Government will deliver a better future for recreational fishers.
Labor has listened to concerns of fishers after the disastrous loss of sand flathead and that’s why we will invest $200,000 per year in a sand flathead stock enhancement program to restock larger, quicker-growing flathead in key regions.
We will deliver a review of sand flathead management settings in 2025 and guarantee sand flathead restrictions will be relaxed once the stock reaches recovery targets. And Labor will consult with recreational fishers to develop appropriate policy settings to nurture and protect emerging species.
Labor’s Plan will also take the politics out of recreational fishing. We will:
- Listen to the science and support ongoing, quality research.
- Explicitly recognise recreational fishers in any new or amended legislation.
- We will not introduce a saltwater rod and line fishing licence.
We are committed to supporting fishers and supporting the future of recreational fishing in Tasmania.
Why we need to do more
For over 10 years, the Liberal Government has ignored the science and defunded research into fisheries.
They’ve systematically underfunded research for the past decade, and ignored its recommendations and as a result we lost sand flathead.
“We are focused on delivering reliable services for Tasmanians and better conditions for staff.”
This has culminated in the devastating restrictions on fishing sand flathead, which could have been avoided if action had been taken earlier.
By contrast, a Rebecca White Labor Government will support our fishers and listen – and fund – the science to better manage our recreational fish stocks.
The details
Labor will:
1. Restock sand flathead
A Rebecca White Labor Government will invest $200,000 per annum in a sand flathead stock enhancement program to restock larger, quicker-growing sand flathead in key regions and support better recreational fishing. We will follow the successful hatchery breeding programs in New South Wales and Victoria – and Tasmania’s existing hand fish program – to complement existing stocks and bring back flathead to fishers quicker.
2. Support fishers’ right to fish
We will deliver a review of sand flathead management settings in 2025 and guarantee sand flathead restrictions will be relaxed once the stock reaches recovery targets – and not a moment later.
And we will consult with recreational fishers to develop appropriate policy settings to nurture and protect emerging species.
3. Fund the science
We will also invest $1.8 million each year to bridge the funding gap in the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement, which ensures the Institute of Marine & Antarctic Science is fully funded to do the science necessary for Government to manage and develop Tasmania’s marine resources. Without this funding as an example, IMAS cannot track the changes made by the flathead recovery program, rendering it useless.
4. Support recreational fishers
Labor will also support recreational fishers through:
- Explicitly recognising recreational fishers in any new or amended legislation.
- Continue funding recreational rock lobster translocation with $525,000 over the next 3 years.
- Providing increased support for marine police and authorising fisheries officers around the state to undertake compliance checks.
- A commitment not to impose a saltwater rod and line fishing license.
- Reviewing the size limit on snapper.
- Continuing funding and support for TARFish over the next 3 years.
5. Supporting inland fishers
For inland fishers, a Labor Government will:
- Review funding for the Inland Fisheries Service to protect the international reputation of our world-class brown trout fishery.
- Review water level agreements between IFS and Hydro to ensure the quality of the fishery.
- Commit to ongoing support of $220,000 over three years for Anglers Alliance Tasmania.