Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) Annual Report, tabled today, has confirmed the Tasmanian Government's commitment to promote participation in fishing and increase access for anglers while supporting regional businesses and communities.
The Report highlights the Government's support for the 39th World Fly Fishing Championship 2019 (WFFC2019) in Tasmania in November and December last year that attracted an estimated 1000 anglers, support crew and visitors from 23 countries.
The Tasmanian Government provided $100,000 along with significant support from the IFS to support this internationally significant event that put Tasmania and our internationally renowned wild brown trout fisheries on the world stage.
Pleasingly, the Report also highlights the success of our ongoing efforts to eradicate carp from Tasmania, with Lake Sorell reopened for angling in February 2020 after more than 25 years of carp eradication work, with an increasing likelihood that carp will be eradicated from the Lake.
This is fantastic news and testament to the dedication of the IFS team over many years.
Other key achievements include our collaboration with the Derwent Catchment Project to continue the Restoration Plan for the Tyenna River, and mapping the location, details, and photographs of 1,400 items of anglers access infrastructure from across the State to assist effective management into the future.
Four infrastructure projects were also funded following successful applications to the Public Building Maintenance Fund – upgrading the New Norfolk offices ($125,000), the Salmon Ponds Heritage Gardens Ground Rehabilitation ($120,000), the Salmon Ponds Heritage Gardens Painting Buildings ($100,000) and upgrading the Liawenee Field Station ($250,000).
We are continuing to support participation and growth in Tasmania's inland fishery, with key initiatives including:
*$300,000 to freeze inland trout fishing licences at 2017-18 prices for four years;
*$215,000 over four years commencing in 2018-19 to Anglers Alliance Tasmania;
*$200,000 between 2019-20 and 2021-22 to expand the IFS Anglers Access Program across priority lakes and rivers in partnership with Anglers Alliance Tasmania and local angling clubs; and
*$300,000 to upgrade amenities at High Visitation Trout Waters.
We are delivering on our long term plan to manage our inland fishery and encourage more people to discover the joy of fishing in Tasmania.
