Outcome 4: a capable and confident sector

Read about outcome 4 strategies and actions of the Northern Territory (NT) recreational fishing development plan 2023 to 2033.

Strategies and actions

Grow awareness and recognition of the benefits of recreational fishing and the importance of a capable and confident sector

• Promote the variety of significant health, well-being, social, cultural and economic benefits of recreational fishing, and how this is sustained by a capable and confident sector, using existing communication channels and resources, and develop and deliver additional communications strategies and resources.

Identify and monitor the growth of recreational fishing socio-economic benefits over time to ensure appropriate recognition and investment

• Participate in national initiatives around regular, ongoing and comparable socio-economic analysis of recreational fishing contributions to the Territory.

Optimise effective and proactive communication across the sector and broader community

• Develop Recreational Fishing government website to showcase the plan, and provide opportunities to consolidate recreational fishing management, development and tourism opportunities.
• Develop and implement a recreational fishing communications strategy focusing on communication channels, purposes, opportunities and strategies to ensure high levels of engagement and transparency across the sector and the broader community, and building of confidence in recreational fishing management, regulation, stakeholders and activities. An early focus will include investigating ways to optimise communication between peak bodies, government and the recreational fishing community.

Support non-government events and innovation in the recreational fishing sector

• Continue the recreational fishing grants scheme in 2024/25 financial year and review for continuation in the longer term.

Grow networking, relationships, partnerships and leadership across the recreational fishing sector

• Develop and implement a recreational fishing leadership and networking program designed to support facilitate:
  • leadership development suited to the Territory’s context
  • collaboration and communication across the sector (e.g. via NT recreational fishing forums and/or conferences).

Invest in recreational fishing education

• Deliver recreational fishing content as part of NT current Fisheries schools program.
• Explore longer term roles for delivery of recreational fishing education and engagement programs for schools, fishing clubs and community groups.

Optimise recreational fishing decision making

• Review the operation of the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee to maximise its effectiveness and support for delivery of the plan and decision making more broadly.

Ensure adequate resources, capacity and delivery models to progress the recreational fishing development plan over time

• Review and explore the roles and needs of government, peak bodies and other stakeholders in supporting, representing and delivering:
  • effective recreational fishing management and
  • enhancement of the recreational fishing sector towards the vision and desired outcomes of the plan.
  This includes a focus on Amateur Fisherman’s Association NT, NT Guided Fishing Industry Association, Aboriginal Ranger Groups and Programs, NT Fisheries, NT Marine Safety, Water Police and Tourism NT.
• Develop and implement a sustainable recreational fishing development plan funding strategy to deliver the long term vision of the plan, which includes funding through government and alternative funding opportunities (e.g. such as recreational fishing revenue, the private sector, philanthropic opportunities, crowd sourcing, and federal grants).

Support application of environmental, social and governance principles and standards

• Explore opportunities to help the Territory’s recreational fishing sector to apply environmental, social and governance principles and standards that align with NT, Australian and International goals and targets (for example looking at emissions, ecological footprint, social impact, and circular economy).

Assess the progress of the recreational fishing development plan over time and adapt as required to ensure a flexible, iterative strategic planning approach

• Monitor the change in recreational fishing sector attitudes and behaviours over time to understand whether the behaviours are evolving in the desired ways, and keep NT Fisheries and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee up-to-date and well prepared to assess the plans implementation success.
• Annual review and assessment of progress of the plan actions annually, to assess level of success, and progression towards the plan vision and outcomes, and add additional actions or amend or remove existing actions.