Suggested fishing licence fee endorsed by some, rejected by others
Recreational fishers in SA would have to pay for a licence under a suggested scheme – but the community isn’t all yet convinced the money raised would help.
SA News
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Fishers are split on whether to support an SA licence and fee of about $30 annually.
The Advertiser revealed a survey to judge support for the idea was being carried out online, before recommendations were made to the Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone by his fishing advisory group.
The State Government would only back the plan – which has been pushed from within the angling community – if fishers support it.
But on Monday the South Australian Fishing Alliance rejected the idea.
It cited similar schemes in NSW and Victoria, which were unpopular and badly managed financially.
Spokesman George Phillipov said most of the money raised under both schemes was soaked up by administration costs.
“Based on the numbers of members and money raised in NSW and Victoria, here it would raise little,’’ he said.
“According to a study from Canberra, there would be a significant drop off in the number of people fishing in SA if a fee comes in, so it won’t raise much money for the industry.
“And under the fisheries act we have a right to recreationally fish for free, and the fish are owned by the public.’’
Mr Phillipov said recreational fishers already contributed millions to the economy through charges such as trailer registration and lobster licences.
The ministerial advisory group is only backing a plan which would collect licence fees to be used for the industry.
Recfish SA spokesman Alex Williams said it supported the licence and fee.
But he said it must be managed “by the industry” as well as “for the industry”, rather than by the Minister’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Council.
“The initial thoughts are that $30 would be reasonable, but some people were talking about $50 annually,” he said.
The peak authority, the Ministerial Recreational Fishing Advisory Council, is seeking feedback from the state's 277,000 recreational fishers on the proposal.
“We are wanting input from the recreational fishing community on how a database of recreational fishers can be developed to assist in obtaining and conveying fishing information,” council chairman Graham Keegan said.
“And if implementing a recreational fishing licence or compulsory registration system are possible options to achieve this.’’
Mr Keegan would not say how much a possible year-long or three-day licence might cost, but the aim would be for the money to be returned to the sector, if the proposal was endorsed.
“It is a once-in-a-decade chance to have a say and it would only work if money was put in a trust and people could apply for funding for an artificial reef, or disabled access at a boat ramp and so on,’’ he said.
Nationally, annual fishing licences range from $32.40 to $56.70, with a three-day licence able to be purchased in most states at a lower rate.
Authorities use the information from licence holders to find out when, where and how individual species are fished in order to help manage them.
Queensland and SA remain the only states not to charge recreational fishers.
Mr Keegan believes there is growing acceptance of the idea.
He did not say what level of support would be required from fishers for the council to make a recommendation to Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone.
However, Mr Whetstone said if the council had the support of the sector and asks for a recreational fishing licence “we will consider it”.
“If fishers want a licence to fund enhanced recreational fishing opportunities and infrastructure, our Government would want to see it administered for and by recreational fishers,” Mr Whetstone said.
Recreational angler Tim Johnson, 50, from North Haven, fishes regularly with his son Ryan, 16, and questions whether all the revenue would go towards the industry.
“It would be OK if the money went towards things like artificial reefs and boat ramps, so there are some basic facilities in country areas, and saving the fish stocks,’’ he said.
The survey is available until July 15 and can be found at: mrfac.org.au/ representing-you