The state government has unveiled a suite of announcements for NSW’s one million recreational fishers, spanning grants for new facilities, a crackdown on dishonest licence sellers, and new representative bodies for the sector.
Eighteen projects have received grants of up to $50,000 for fishing facilities and up to $10,000 for education projects, to be delivered by local fishing clubs, councils, schools and community groups. They include an accessible fishing platform at Red Rock Reserve on the Mid North Coast, upgrades to fishing platforms at Walgett Weir, Scylla Bay in Como and Belton Park in Forster, replacement fish cleaning tables at the Menindee Lakes system, resurfaced boat ramps at Lavender Point, Tuross Lake and Mill Bay in Narooma, a local fishing guide for the Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club, and fishing education sessions for the Tumbulgum Fishing Club.
Applications for the 2026 Recreational Fishing Trust grants round are now open and close on 9 October.
The government is also cracking down on unauthorised websites that exploit recreational fishers with hidden or misleading fees, after reports of people being charged $128 for two one-month fishing licences that should have cost $28. Reforms targeting third party sellers who charge exorbitant processing fees will be proposed to parliament through the Fisheries Management Amendment (Enforcement) Bill.
Recreational fishing industry leader Greg Seeto has been appointed interim chair of the new NSW Recreational Fishing Peak Body, which will represent and advocate for recreational fishers, promote sustainable fishing and support fair access to fishing opportunities. Seeto is managing director of Daiwa Australia and president of the Australian Fishing Trade Association.
The government is also seeking expressions of interest for a new Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council, which will become the primary source of advice to the Minister for Agriculture on fisheries management issues, drawing on expertise from recreational and commercial fishing, Aboriginal fishing, aquaculture and conservation.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the grants were delivering real benefits where they were needed most.
“From better fishing platforms and cleaning facilities to hands-on education for the next generation of fishers, these grants are delivering real benefits where they’re needed most,” Moriarty said.
“The appointment of Greg Seeto is an important step in establishing a strong, independent voice for recreational fishers across NSW.”
More information and grant applications: dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/apply-for-funds
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