The Malinauskas Government today announced $800,000 funding over the next four years for the group to again become the key body advising on recreational fishing across the state.

RecFish SA director Alex Williams said it was welcome news for the group that had been run with volunteers during the past few years, with projects including restocking the River Murray with Murray Cod and the state’s reservoirs with Cod, silver perch and golden perch.

“When the Liberal Government removed its funding, it was a difficult period for us, we had to make the decision, do we close the organisation?” Williams said, adding that the group decided to push ahead as a voluntary group.

At the time, there had been criticism of RecFish SA supporting the Labor Government’s introduction of marine parks, which created tension among South Australia communities.

Former Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone announced in 2019 that he was honouring the Liberal Party’s long-term commitment to cut RecFish SA’s funding to establish a government-appointed Recreational Fishing Advisory Council as the primary source of advice on recreational fishing.

“RecFish SA alongside FishinSA and the South Australian Fishing Alliance are free to continue to operate and remain valued stakeholder organisations,” he said at the time.

Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven said today’s decision was about creating a strong, independent voice for 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.”

RecFish SA chair Barry Brown said RecFish SA has been “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.”

The State Government also has recognised recreational fishing as an active recreation, and RecFish SA could now help fishing clubs apply for grants and funding through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

“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,” Brown said.

RecFish SA director Alex Williams

“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.”