Media Release

For immediate use 21 May 2002

RECREATIONAL FISHERS HOOK INTO DARWIN

Recreational fishers from around the world will converge on Darwin this week - not to capture a prized barramundi - but to attend the 3rd World Recreational Fishing Conference "Regional Experiences for Global Solutions".

RECFISH Australia President, Mr John Harrison, said "the conference, which runs from 21 - 24 May, is a forum for recreational fishing stakeholders to discuss issues relevant to the sustainable management of recreational fishing."

"This conference is an Australian first - it brings together the diverse sectors of the international recreational fishing community, including fisheries managers, researchers, policy makers, industry representatives and anglers to explore current issues and trends.

"We will promote responsible recreational fishing and current issues amongst participants and the general community. A key outcome of the conference will be the development of an international code of practice for recreational fishing.

"Once finalised, this code will be widely circulated to promote its formal adoption by fishing agencies, peak bodies and other stakeholders around the world. The conference also aims to form an international recreational fishing society which will enable participants to maintain contacts established at the conference and to ensure the continuity of the triennial world conference.

"This society will also provide a mechanism to improve the transfer of information between managers, researchers and industry in the future. The variety of skills and experience of participants will enable us to improve the research directions domestically and internationally through the exchange of information and innovative management approaches.

"However, none of this would have been possible without funding. I thank all our sponsors, particularly the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia for their funding and continued support of recreational fishing in Australia," Mr Harrison said.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
John Harrison, RECFISH Australia President, Mobile: 0415 471600
TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS:
Kylie Paulsen, FRDC Communications Coordinator, Mobile: 0438 630 491

ENDS

Media Contact:
Ms Kylie Paulsen, Communications Coordinator, Ph: 0438 630 491