16/09/2026
INDUSTRY BODY FACES MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCESS REVIEW IN DECADE
Australia’s recreational fishing trade body is backing marine conservation, but warns that further no-take closures must be supported by clear science, proper economic assessment and a demonstrated conservation need.
The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) has stepped up its engagement with the Government as Australia reviews management plans for 44 Commonwealth marine parks in what has been described as one of the most significant reviews of recreational fishing access to those waters in a decade.
The review forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to place 30% of Australia’s marine environment under highly protected zoning by 2030 — a designation that generally prevents activities, including recreational fishing.
AFTA Chair, the Hon Bob Baldwin, said the association supports marine parks that deliver genuine environmental benefits, but opposes recreational fishing exclusions designed simply to meet a numerical target. “AFTA does not oppose marine parks. We want good marine parks that deliver genuine conservation outcomes,” he said.
“Closing an area to recreational fishing should never become an exercise in simply achieving a percentage on a map. Government should be able to demonstrate what environmental problem a closure is solving and why excluding recreational fishing is necessary to solve it.”
Australian marine parks already cover about 3.8 million square kilometres – approximately 43% of the country’s marine environment. About 2.2 million square kilometres are currently classed as highly protected, with a further 523,980 sq km identified as needed to meet the 30×30 goal.
AFTA wants Government to clarify how proposed protections around Lord Howe, Norfolk and Gifford will affect that remaining shortfall before it considers converting further areas open to recreational fishing into no-take zones.
“Before Government takes another square kilometre away from recreational fishing, we need to know exactly how much additional highly protected water is actually required,” Baldwin said.
The association is calling for the science behind zoning decisions to be made public, including the conservation objective for each area, the threat being addressed and why less restrictive management would not achieve the same result.
AFTA also wants the review to account fully for the economic and social effects of lost access. It says closures can affect tackle retailers and wholesalers, boat dealers, charter operators, accommodation providers and regional tourism businesses – many of them small or family-owned enterprises.
“When Government closes productive and accessible fishing grounds, the impact doesn’t finish at the boat ramp,” Baldwin said. “It flows through the tackle shop, boat dealer, charter operator, accommodation provider and ultimately the entire coastal community.”
The trade body has raised its concerns directly with Government, opposition and crossbench politicians in Canberra, and has sought evidence from tackle businesses, charter operators, fishing organisations and other marine-sector stakeholders. The Boating Industry Association is supporting AFTA’s submission.
AFTA has also written to Environment and Water Minister, Senator Murray Watt, seeking clarification on how socio-economic impacts will be considered and how additional highly protected areas will be selected.
The association argues that recreational fishing and conservation can coexist, pointing to existing fisheries-management measures such as bag and size limits, seasonal closures, gear controls and species-specific rules.
“Australian anglers have an enormous stake in healthy oceans, healthy habitats and abundant fish stocks,” Baldwin said. “Without those things there is no sustainable recreational fishing industry.”
AFTA’s message is that 30×30 should remain an environmental outcome, rather than a map-based exercise.
“Protect what needs protecting. Follow the science. Understand the economic and social consequences. And maintain recreational fishing access wherever conservation and sustainable fishing can successfully coexist,” added Baldwin.
