Following 18-months of collaboration between AFANT, NT Fisheries, the NT Guided Fishing Industry Association (NTGFIA) and the NT Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) the Recreational Fishing Development Plan (RFDP) 2023 – 2033 has been released. The plan identifies an ambitious vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous recreational fishing future and outlines key actions to guide government and stakeholders.
With over 60,000 Territorians and tens-of-thousands of visitors going fishing each year, fishing in the NT is not only popular but also big business. The sector contributes $270M to Territory GDP, supporting 2,500 full-time jobs and this makes well-informed planning for future management needs and infrastructure developments essential.
The RFDP is a wholistic plan, setting out four key outcomes which were identified through the input of hundreds of recreational fishers, peak bodies, industry representatives, and the Northern Territory Government. The four key outcomes are:
- Outcome 1: shared understanding and access
- Outcome 2: diverse and abundant fish stocks
- Outcome 3: fishing opportunities for everyone
- Outcome 4: a capable and confident sector
The RFDP will be a ‘live’ document, regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that actions can respond to change and the learnings from the foundational initiatives that have been identified.
