A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government is backing in our plan to bring Tasmania's Flatties back, with two new initiatives involving relocation, and exploring the feasibility of breeding.
"Catching a Flatty is one of the greatest things about being Tasmanian, and we want to make sure that it's an opportunity that's still available to our kids' grandkids," Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
"With the help of the best scientists in the world that we have right here at IMAS, we are exploring all the options when it comes to boosting the population of sand flathead.
"We've had great success with our East Coast Rock Lobster Translocation Program since it started in 2015, and we're going to take that success to our Flatties, by relocating Flathead from the Tasman Peninsula and Triabunna to Frederick Henry Bay.
"IMAS will identify flathead populations that can be relocated to popular fishing spots, in the same way that our successful East Coast Rock Lobster Translocation Program has worked since 2015.
"Second, IMAS will lead work to assess the feasibility of breeding sand flathead using a marine hatchery facility, before releasing them into the sea for tassie fishers.
"Fishing is a great Tasmanian pastime, with one in four of us dropping in a line every year.
"Our plan will help to ensure Tasmanians can catch a feed of flatties today, and for generations to come."
The Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jo Palmer said the Liberals' Strong Plan also included ruling out a Tackle Tax, abolishing junior angling licence fees for inland fisheries, combatting invasive species, investment in better facilities, and improved funding of fishing peaks.
"Tasmanians love fishing, and our investment will support everyone from our fishers to our communities and the peak industry groups," Minister Palmer said.
"We will keep fishing accessible to all Tasmanians by ruling out a Tackle Tax - we will never implement a licence fee for saltwater rod and line fishing in Tasmania.
"We will also continue to make it free for juniors to cast a line in our popular inland fisheries.
"We are also extending our Better Fishing Fund with a further $1 million, to develop and upgrade pontoons, jetties, cleaning facilities and other infrastructure that enable fishers to get out there and enjoy the great experience that fishing can provide".
"In a first, we'll also recognise recreational fishing as an official sport and active recreation activity supported by greater recreational fishing infrastructure and services to help increase participation and access across the State.
"This will mean that recreational fishing peak bodies will be eligible to apply for Active Tasmania funding, opening the door to funding opportunities and benefits for our recreational fishing community.
"There are so many other actions that we are taking to back fishers across Tasmania.
"Our government will always back Tasmanians, Tasmanian fishing businesses, their employees and families."
A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will:
- Officially recognise recreational fishing as a "sport" and "active recreation" activity.
- Keep saltwater recreational rod and line fishing fee-free.
- Establish a stock enhancement program for our iconic sand flathead.
- Recognise recreational fishers in any new or amended legislation.
- Extend the Better Fishing Fund to support the delivery of improved facilities for recreational sea fishers and local communities.
- Deploy additional Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to provide better fishing opportunities for anglers.
- Increase our funding to the recreational sea fishing peak body, TARfish, to support delivery of recreational sea fishing activities and community stewardship initiatives.
- Increase our support for the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration.
- Continue our successful east coast rock lobster translocation program.
- Continue to address the impacts of the invasive Long-spined sea urchin and promote our abalone stocks.
- Support implementation of the ShellMAP partnership.
- Continue to work with the seafood industry on options for implementation of an integrated biotoxin monitoring program.
- Provide Seafood Industry Tasmania with funding support and partner with it to develop a wild fisheries strategy.
- Continue funding the Stay Afloat Program.
- Provide funding support to Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
- Extend the junior fee waiver for inland fishing licences.
- Re-establish the tagged trout program over the next 3 years.
Cost: $6.5 million.
