Being manipulated for the political agendas of politicians of any stripe is bloody frustrating. We’re being used as bait in a campaign that could ultimately restrict our rights and reshape Tasmania’s marine landscape.

Tasmania deserves a balanced conversation about aquaculture, marine protection, and recreational access. That conversation must be grounded in science, transparency, and respect—not fear, distortion, and political theatre.

It’s time for rec fishers to ask themselves: are we being informed or are we being used?

The TARFish Board sincerely thank Paul Lennon for the skill and knowledge he brought to TARFish over the last five years.

On his resignation as Independent Chair following the TARFish AGM Paul said, “I am proud of the progress we have made and in particular the effective working relationship built with our Ministers and government, stabilizing our financial position, growing our membership and advancing our organisational renewal goals.

Concerned by the recent announcement of new antibiotic florfenicol use by salmon farms and what it means for your fishing?

We’ve put together some information just for recreational fishers - without the spin.

TARFish has wrapped up a successful run of Rec Fisher Hubs, held across the state in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie. Read the summary of what matters to rec fishers right here. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for a fisher hub near you!

Read TARFish’s draft response to the government’s proposed rock lobster harvest strategy - we want rec fisher feedback - can you help?

From the nonsensical and non responses to new election commitment heights, our scorecard reveals the results.

David O’Byrne is the first to respond to TARFish’s recreational fishing priorities, supporting first access for recreational fishers to rock lobster on the East Coast and setting the bar for the major parties and other key independents to meet.

Peter George’s policy is a direct threat to the Tasmanian way of life and to the thousands of jobs and the regional communities that recreational fishing supports

Over 130,000 Tasmanians goes fishing, that’s one in four Tasmanians. Recreational fishing is part of the Tasmanian way of life and contributes $270 million to the state economy and 2,670 jobs.

We recognise that Tasmania’s financial situation is dire and budget repair is needed. That’s why we have focused our fishing priorities on low or no cost priorities, demonstrating that we’re prepared to do our bit to getting the budget back on track. 

Recreational Fishing is part of the Tasmanian way of life.

Our ask on behalf of Tasmanian rec fishers is a modest but much needed investment to support the Tasmanian way of life AND the economic benefits it delivers around Tasmania.

Supporting sand flathead recovery and kelp reforestation will deliver jobs, economic returns and secure this important part of the Tasmanian way of life for generations to come. We need all political parties and politicians to commit to investment in sand flathead recovery and kelp reforestation.

Without it, we could lose 40,000 recreational fishers and the next generation of young fishers.

Breaking News:

1. Huon Aquaculture to medicate fish with antibiotics in lower D'Entrecasteaux

2. New South East Marine Park Management Plan released quietly today

3. Expressions of interest sought from TARFish members for sardine reference group

Tassie's rec fishers just LOVE scallops and there is good news and bad news in the State Government’s proposed changes to the scallop rules.  TARFish warmly welcomes proposed catch sharing arrangements but does not support plans to open a commercial dive fishery - find out why.

Tassie's rec fishers are the greatest users of marine parks and the proposed lock outs by the Commonwealth Government fail to recognise our low impact. TARFish does not support the draft plan and believes that consultation was critically flawed. We think there's a better way.

There is plenty happening in recreational fishing right now and more coming up. Here’s a quick update on what’s coming up in the next couple of months

The latest IMAS survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania shows what we already knew – more Tasmanians are fishing more often! Find out what it means for sand flathead and more…

What’s the catch with calamari? Rated as depleted or depleting around Tasmania, NRE has proposed changes to spawning season closures and commercial management on the north coast. . More needs to be done to protect the remaining spawning aggregations and recover them to a sustainable level. Find out more at www.tarfish.org

NEW! TARFish has today launched the first of four weather buoys around Tasmania to deliver real-time weather and improve access, quality and safety of Tasmanian’s fishing experience. The free weather information service to rec fishers is available from the TARFish website at www.tarfish.org

We have prepared our Securing Our Fishing Futere priorities for the Tasmanian State Election on 23 March 2024. We will proactively represent recreational fishers with Tasmania’s political parties in the lead up to the election to secure commitments that will secure our fishing future.

Breaking News: scalefish rules revealed

Breaking News: Minister announces wins for rec fishers