Media Release - Business rules will clear the water on licence revenue expenditure.

Recfishwest executive director Frank Prokop has today (31 July) launched Recfishwest's proposed business rules for the future expenditure of licence revenue through the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF).

Recreational fishing licences will come into effect in mid October 2009. Recfishwest has been working hard to ensure that money raised is spent to benefit recreational fisheries.

"This document provides a framework for a transparent and robust administration and allocation process for the recreational licence revenue," Mr Prokop said.

One of the positive aspects of Minister Moore's licence announcement was a commitment there would be no reduction in core funding and that additional fees will be quarantined in the RFF to be used for recreational fisheries management.

"The increased revenue should allow the recreational sector to finally start addressing fundamental priorities such as; habitat and stock enhancement, dedicated recreational compliance patrols, research, education and commercial buy-outs," Mr Prokop said.

Recfishwest's preliminary analyses suggest that there will be an extra $4 - 4.5 million, in addition to the existing $2.4 million, from recreational fishing licence revenue.

"It is vitally important that recreational fishers have the greatest say on what should and shouldn't be funded out of the RFF. An independent committee should develop a business plan and then administer the licence income to that plan."

"Meanwhile the government should continue to fund core activities such as management, compliance and stock assessments from their core funding which should remain at least at $12.5 million."

In the past recreational fishers have had very little influence on the expenditure of revenue attributable to recreational fishing licences.

"While Recfishwest still believes the cost of licences to be excessive, we will be focussing our attention towards ensuring recreational fisheries get the best possible return for the benefit of our recreational fisheries."

"We will be monitoring the impact of the licence system on recreational fishing and will be ensuring that the benefits from the licence funded projects as well as the impacts of the new fees are analysed as part of the next review in 12 months." Mr Prokop concluded.

The document, Principles for the Management of the Recreational Fishing Fund, is available on the Recfishwest website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/RecFishingFundBusinessRules.htm

ENDS

Media Contacts

Frank Prokop, Executive Director - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118
Kane Moyle, Policy Officer - Recfishwest ph. 9246 3366 or 0403 898 432


                 

More details of licences and fishing rules from mid-October 2009.

Ministerial Media Statement - New recreational fishing licences, greater restrictions to protect stocks, boost research (link opens in a new window)

Department of Fisheries:- New recreational fishing arrangements (link opens in a new window)

Recfishwest Media Release Recfishwest expects strong reactions to West Coast recreational fishing changes



This page prepared on 31 July 2009.