Recreational
Fishing Trusts

Improving recreational ﬁshing
in NSW for everyone.

Annual Report 2022

376,363

In 2021-22, there were 376,363 recreational fishing licenses sold.

$15.5

million

$15.5 million was provided to support recreational fishing projects.

281

projects

A total of 281 projects underway, 129 of these were approved in 2021-22 worth $21 million.

View the 2022 Annual Report

Priority Areas & Achievements

More than 3000 large and small projects have received funding from the Trusts since 2001, with over 2800 projects completed. In 2021-22, funding of $15.5 million was provided to support projects currently underway (including ongoing programs).

Priority areas for funding are:

Fisheries enhancement

Improving recreational fishing opportunities in coastal and inland regions by deploying FADs, building artificial reefs and fish stocking.

Fishing facilities and access

Providing new or upgrading existing facilities and protecting and enhancing fishing access for recreational fishers.

Aquatic habitat rehabilitation

Protecting and enhancing fish habitat and creating improved environmental conditions to build fish populations naturally.

Research

Supporting a large range of research projects on fish and recreational fishing, including surveys, citizen science programs and game fish tagging.

Education and promotion

Promoting awareness and stewardship of our aquatic resources and educating the next generation of anglers.

Fisheries Officers

Supporting coastal and inland fisheries officers and enhancing DPI’s capacity to enforce fisheries rules and regulations.

Your licence fees at work

NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts channel fishing fees (licenses) to support a huge variety of projects aimed at protecting and improving fishing opportunities and fisheries habitats.

Learn more about the Trusts

Trust Funding Summary

In 2021–22, over 376,000 recreational fishing licenses were sold, and more than $15.5 million was provided to support recreational fishing projects. With a total of 281 projects underway, 129 of these were approved in 2021–22 worth $21 million.