Fishing competition and event management

Introduction

Recreational fishing representatives and NSW DPI have developed a Code of Practice for Fishing Events in NSW. The vision is for all fishing events to follow the voluntary Code of Practice so that the organisers and participants in these events operate in a safe, environmentally and socially responsible way. Event rules and activities should demonstrate best practice and where possible, enhance the economic benefit for the community. The Code of Practice requires that organisers and participants of fishing events:

• Operate in an environmentally and socially sensitive manner
• Promote responsible fishing practices
• Maximise opportunities to help the sport, the environment and the community
• Operate in a safe manner
• Comply with Fisheries, Maritime and Environmental Protection regulations

Guidelines

Guidelines have been developed to help event organisers abide by the voluntary Code of Practice. These guidelines are intended to be applicable to a wide range of fishing events whether they are catch and keep or catch and release format and will help to improve fishing event management in NSW.

Ideas to improve your fishing event

There are many different ways that fishing events can be improved.

Fishing event score card

Please find an example of a catch and release score card here. It is available in two formats to enable changes to the form to suit your individual event.

Fishing event score card (DOC, 74.5 KB)

Fishing event score card (XLS, 20.5 KB)

Fishing event reports

Organisers are requested to submit a fishing event report at the conclusion of their event. These reports gather basic information on participation, rules and captures at each event. The information submitted on this form will enable Recreational Fisheries Managers to maintain a detailed database of fishing events in NSW and assist them in helping to develop this important recreational fishing sector.

If you require additional detail on how these may be applied to your fishing competition, please contact the NSW DPI Fishing Competition Management Officer on (02) 4424 7417 or fishing.events@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

• Fishing event report form (PDF, 36.21 KB)
• Annual fishing event report form (XLS, 179.5 KB)

Please note that all information submitted in these reports will only be used by NSW DPI to improve the management of your fisheries resource. All information will be treated as strictly confidential.