July 24, 2019
Since its introduction in the early 2000’s, the Victorian Recreational Fishing License (RFL) system has underpinned the successful development of our sector and delivered significant benefits to recreational fishers across the state. However, since the introduction of an ‘all waters‘ recreational fishing license, the RFL and operation of the trust account has not been independently reviewed to ensure it is meeting our sectors requirements now and into the future.
In late March this year, VRFish wrote to the Minister for Fishing and Boating, the Hon. Jaala Pulford, to request that an independent review of the RFL and trust account occur during this term of government, to modernize and re-engineer the system, in order to address our sectors future challenges and priorities.
VRFish believes it is essential for this review to occur to deliver a range of benefits to both government and our sector, some of which includes:
1.Determining a true, accurate and ongoing data set of recreational fishing participation.
A significant drawback of our current RFL licensing system is that it cannot be used to determine a true and accurate picture of participation and the demographics of our recreational fishing sector. A modernized RFL system should be designed that encapsulates all recreational fishing participants so that this data can be used for research purposes, improved communications, and contribute to informed decision making by government and our sector.
2.Provide a more stable and equitable revenue base for improving recreational fishing.
A long-standing concern is that a minority of recreational fishers are subsidising the majority of Victorian recreational fishers who do not need to purchase a license. Recent trends in RFL data has exacerbated these concerns. In 2017/18, the total number of recreational fishing licenses sold (258,531) was the lowest since 2008/09 and was 76,169 less than anticipated in the Regulatory Impact Statement for Recreational Fishery Licence Fees (March 2016). This equated to $3.16 million less revenue for the RFL Trust Account than forecasted for the 2017/18 financial year. A review to modernise our RFL system must consider the most appropriate fee structure that enables the revenue base of the RFL Trust Account to increase with increasing participation in recreational fishing. The revenue received must meet the costs associated with improving recreational fishing.
3. Ensuring our RFL funds are directed to initiatives that improve recreational fishing and our sector.
There are no formal governance arrangements directly involving our fishers to determine and review the broad RFL trust account investment priorities alongside government funding of recreational fishing programs. The Regulatory Impact Statement for Recreational Fishery Licence Fees (March 2016) stated Fisheries Victoria intended to undertake a full review of all regulations before they sunset, including consultation with RFL stakeholders to specifically consider:
- the policy principles that will inform judgment about future design of RFLs and associated fees, including the case for government regulation and the specific activities funded by fees.
- a comprehensive analysis of the underlying costs and benefits (both public and private) of the government’s activities related to recreational fishing (administration, managing the sustainability of fishing and promoting the interests of the recreational fishing sector).
The RFL Trust Account by issuing grants should take into account the desired outcomes and priorities, including building capacity of our sector. Currently, the Recreational Fishing Grants Program is a competitive grants process with a broad assessment criteria. In 2017/18, RFL funds re-invested into the Recreational Fishing Grants Program and other projects fell to 17.2% of the total RFL Trust Account disbursements in that year. In addition, less than $200,000 of these project grants were being delivered by recreational fishing organisations and angling clubs.
A review should consider a range of factors, including:
- whether our sector would receive better outcomes through an expression of interest for specific project applications on priority issues;
- addressing factors that are inhibiting our sector applying for funds;
- examining the maximum amount of funding available per project for small and large projects;
- the timing of these funding schemes; and,
- whether establishing a set annual percentage of RFL funds for the RFL Grants Program would assist in greater accountability and certainty.
In early June, Minister Pulford responded to our request and advised that the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) have been tasked with carrying out a full review of Victoria’s RFL system in consultation with recreational fishers, and are to report back to her by the end of 2019. VRFish, in conjunction with other stakeholders are currently in the process of working with the VFA to finalise a terms of reference, and appoint an independent consultant who will undertake the review over the next few months, in close consultation with stakeholders.