Recreational Fishing Management Strategy & Environment Assessment of Recreational Fishing
Developing a Recreational Fishing Management Strategy for Recreational Fishing in NSW guided by an Environmental Assessment
Why carry out an environmental assessment?
Many fisheries and fisheries based activities in NSW have been subject to an environmental assessment (EA) process which has then guided development of a fishery management strategy. It has also enabled a focus on ensuring that fishing activities are ecologically sustainable and provided a strategy to address and manage activities that present risk and impact on the aquatic environment.
Some recreational fishing associated activities such as fish stocking and installation of artificial reefs have already been subject to environmental assessment. While there are long established management policies, and a regulatory framework to manage the fishery consistent with the objects of the Fisheries Management Act (1994), the recreational fishery in NSW has not been subject to a specific environmental assessment process nor has an overall strategy been developed. While the NSW recreational fishery is managed in accordance with the objects of the Fisheries Management Act (1994), the recreational fishery itself is not a designated fishing activity and therefore has not been subject to legislated EA process.
This project aims to take a proactive approach and address this by undertaking an EA to facilitate development of a recreational fishing management strategy (RFMS) to ensure the recreational fishery continues to operate to conserve fish stocks and provide quality recreational fishing opportunities now and into the future.
The term 'environmental' includes biological, economic and social aspects. The EA will be informed by the best available scientific information and will consider the impacts of recreational fishing on target species, by-catch and protected species, fish habitat, the broader ecosystem, and economic and social issues associated with recreational fishing.
What will a Recreational Fishing Management Strategy do?
A RFMS will be developed to set out an appropriate management framework and regime to address and mitigate threats and risks identified in the EA.
The RFMS will include :
- management goals
- objectives
- strategies for achieving the objectives (including the fishing or activity controls)
- monitoring programs that apply to the fishery.
Development of a recreational fishing management strategy will provide better transparency and understanding of fisheries management approaches in NSW which will help ensure improved stewardship of our fisheries resources by the recreational fishing sector.
How will the EA and RFMS be completed?
The EA and RFMS will be completed in two key stages based on NSW’ saltwater and freshwater recreational fisheries. Phase 1 will involve an assessment of the saltwater fishery, taking account and building on the existing findings from the Marine Estate Statewide Threat and Risk Assessment (TARA). It will involve finer scale review of recreational fishing methods and techniques, as well as an additional assessment process for the offshore fishery. Stage 2 will involve an assessment of the freshwater fishery using a similar risk assessment framework used for the saltwater fishery.
The documents will be prepared in conjunction with an EA Network Group, RFNSW and other key stakeholders and will go out for broader public consultation before they are finalised.
Further information
If you require further information regarding the development of the RFMS for recreational fishing in NSW, please contact rec.rfms@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
