Archived page, Principles for the Management of the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF), July 2009

INTRODUCTION

Following the two year review of recreational fishing in 1990/91 new recreational fishing licences for abalone and trout and freshwater fishing were introduced. As part of the agreement, the recreational licensing revenue was to be put into a dedicated trust fund to be used for the betterment of recreational fishing.

In 1992, the Recreational Fishing Trust Account became operational. Under this arrangement, funds were paid into Consolidated Revenue and then reimbursed by Treasury into the Trust Account. Unexpended funds were able to be carried over to the next financial year and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) provided explicit advice on funding priorities for the Trust Account Funds.

Following the proclamation of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994, the Recreational Fishing Trust account was replaced by the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF). The RFF had no savings provision, had no formal input from RFAC and was largely indistinguishable from the Consolidated Fund component of recreational fisheries management.

In 1997, Recfishwest was established and was initially funded from the Development and Better Interest Fund (DBIF). Following intense lobbying from the commercial industry, Recfishwest was funded from the RFF from 2003.

At this time the Minister of Fisheries (Kim Chance MLC) accepted the Principles and Business Rules surrounding the Development and Better Interest Fund (DBIF), established in the 1995 Cole/House Agreement. This document is currently under review.

The DBIF was established "for the purpose of providing a source of funds for generic activities additional to the cost recovery funding requirements" and was noted to be "a return to the Government, as representative of the community, for application by the Minister for Fisheries on those items which are in the best interest of fisheries and fish habitat management".

There has been no similar formal agreement with the recreational fishing sector as to the use of or priorities for the RFF. The latest licence funding increases were promoted on the basis that the funds so raised are for the express benefit of recreational fishers and fisheries. Recfishwest proposes an equitable model for the allocation of the RFF monies.

Throughout its history, recreational fishers have had no effective say in the expenditure of the RFF.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

The RFF is established under the Fish Resources Management Act (FRMA) and consequently this document recognises that both the Minister for Fisheries and the Department assisting the Minister with the administration of the (FRMA) have legislative responsibility for the proper administration of, and accountability for the RFF.

The proper administration of the RFF requires that all disbursements are approved by the Minister for Fisheries and are consistent with the purposes contained within s238(5) which includes to assist the fishing industry or any body (whether incorporated or not) whose objects include the provision of assistance to, or the promotion of, the fishing industry. A small legislative amendment would be necessary to differentiate the Consolidated Account (CA) funds (only KPI assessed by the RFF Committee) from the licence revenue where the RFF committee will have a much greater say.

PRINCIPLES FOR NEW ARRANGEMENTS

General

The RFF will be managed according to the principles outlined in this document and this document will not be amended without prior consultation with relevant industry stakeholders.

Peak Industry and Industry Sector Bodies Funding

The proper management of the State's fisheries resources can best be supported through effective consultative mechanisms that ensure effective involvement of all industry stakeholders directly affected by the decision-making process. Recfishwest is the peak industry body for recreational fishing and will have priority access to an agreed minimum RFF funding for administrative and consultative functions to maintain independent and effective representation of the wide range of constituents' views. This funding is available, subject to external performance and financial audit, provided Recfishwest contributes positively and responsibly to the consultation process.

Explicit allocations will be made for regional representation and consultation to be determined following an assessment of the Recfishwest submission on this matter.

Competitiveness within the RFF

Recfishwest shall, through the RFF committee be able to apply for alternative or additional funding arrangements in support of specific activities against agreed priorities in the Business Plan. Similarly, the Department of Fisheries or any other incorporated body shall apply for funds from the RFF on an agreed form at the appropriate time.

Peak Industry and Sector Bodies - Accumulated Reserves/Surpluses

Grants from the RFF must be applied to the purposes for which the original grant was made. However, recognising that programs or projects (not peak or sector body funding) will not always be completed within originally agreed timeframes or costs, accumulations of up to 50% of annual grant funding will not affect further funding allocations. Accumulations greater than 50% will require specific Ministerial approval.

The Minister and the Department have responsibility with respect to expenditure from the RFF and where accumulated funds are to be applied to purposes other than those for which the funding was originally provided, the Minister must be advised of, and approve, the proposed use of the grant funds.

Any unexpended funds remaining at the end of the financial year may be carried over providing that an expenditure plan is prepared for the purposes towards which the funds may be used.

The RFF may apply for loans for specific purposes such as licence buy-outs at fixed rates and terms, but that some capital, as well as interest must be paid off and explicit allocations identified for this purpose.

Programs and Projects Funding

The RFF Committee shall prepare a Business Plan which outlines nominal funding allocations in the key expenditure areas. Consolidated Account (CA) expenditure shall not be considered by the RFF committee except against agreed broad performance criteria. The CA monies shall be used for core business such as management and compliance costs plus some stock assessment research. Failure to deliver on performance criteria shall be referred to the Minister for action.

Key RFF expenditure areas that may be funded include:

Industry Programs
 •   Research into recreational fisheries issues other than stock assessments;
 •   Social and economic research, including log books or catch analysis;
 •   Administration of recreational fishing education, research and extension programs;
 •   Safety;
 •   Education & Training;
 •   Profiling;
 •   Fishers With Disabilities Program;
 •   Recfishwest Regional consultation structures;
 •   VFLO initiatives;

Community Programs
 •   Development funding contribution to Commonwealth FRDC;
 •   Fish for the Future Campaign (ESD);
 •   Regional fisheries management or extension initiatives;
 •   Education and extension programs, including fishing clinics;
 •   Community based tagging, logbook or research programs;
 •   Recreational fishing enhancement such as artificial reefs or restocking;
 •   Leadership development or Community Reward and Recognition Program;

Ministerial/Departmental Initiatives, such as:
 •   Regional recreational fishing reviews;
 •   Marine park and biodiversity conservation planning;
 •   Local government planning and interactions;
 •   Integrated fisheries management;
 •   Specific approved licence buy-outs or resource re-allocations;
 •   Department Reward and Recognition Program relating to recreational fishing;
 •   New Ministerial/Department initiatives;
 •   RFF administration; and
 •   Recreational fishing related tourism promotion.

RFF Advisory Committee

A small advisory Committee will be established to provide the Minister with advice on project applications, funding allocations and contributions to the RFF. Decisions shall be by consensus wherever possible.

The committee will ensure the maintenance of the RFF fundamental principles and provide advice to the Minister on matters of interpretation or dispute, relative to the principles, as required. The RFF advisory committee is to be managed by the Department and has the following membership:

 •   Chairman - Independent Chairman non-voting where consensus cannot be reached (remunerated)
 •   Fisheries Minister's Policy Officer or other Ministerial representative
 •   Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Fisheries or nominee;
 •   Chairman Recfishwest or nominee;
 •   Two additional community members with expertise in matters relating to recreational fisheries, one of whom shall be resident outside of the west coast bioregion.

Project Application Process

Access to RFF funding for projects will be through an application process, administered by the Chief Executive Officer of Fisheries.

Applications for RFF project funding will be made by incorporated bodies on an approved form and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of Fisheries by a date determined through the Business Plan.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

 •   ensure that applications are complete and the purpose is consistent with the purposes for which the RFF was established and these principles;
 •   prepare copies of the applications and forward to the RFF advisory committee members for consideration;
 •   convene a meeting or obtain written comments on submitted applications and then prepare advice to the Minister;
 •   forward the RFF committee's advice to the Minister where there is no consensus each member's views will be provided to the Minister;
 •   advise unsuccessful applicants of the Minister's decision; and
 •   advise successful applicants of method of funding and reporting and accountability requirements.

Accountability

Future and continuing RFF grant funding will be conditional upon those recipient entities ensuring that:

 •   The recipient prepares an annual submission that includes strategic objectives, output based budgets and performance measures identifying areas in the Business Plan to which the grant is to be used;
 •   RFF funding is only expended for the purposes and in accordance with the terms agreed between the Minister and the funded entity;
 •   At least annually, and at such other times as requested by the Minister, a special purpose financial audit of expenditure of RFF grants is conducted by an independent registered company auditor and a report provided to the Minister which indicates that the funds were expended for approved purposes and consistent with the terms determined by the Minister;
 •   An annual performance report is presented to the Minister, demonstrating achievements against outputs identified in the approved budget; and
 •   Where the grant funds are not acquitted to the satisfaction of the Minister the grant amount becomes a debt due to the Minister and the Minister can undertake all necessary action to recover the debt.

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for:

 •  Provision of administrative support at an agreed fee for service rate as approved by the RFF committee;
 •  Reviewing audited annual financial statements for grants;
 •  Preparing a performance report to the Minister with respect to compliance with approved grant funding and performance;
 •  Establishing and maintaining an annual budgeting cycle relative to RFF funding, allocation and Ministerial endorsement processes;
 •  Timely reporting to the recreational fishing public; and
 •  Providing the RFF Advisory Committee with a quarterly report in table format on RFF allocations and expenditures.

July 2009

Principles for the Management of the Recreational Fishing Fund (RFF) formatted for printing on A4 paper (40 kilobyte PDF file)

More details of licences and fishing rules from mid-October 2009.

Recfishwest Media Release Business rules will clear the water on licence revenue expenditure

Ministerial Media Statement - New recreational fishing licences, greater restrictions to protect stocks, boost research (link opens in a new window)

Department of Fisheries:- New recreational fishing arrangements (link opens in a new window)

Recfishwest Media Release Recfishwest expects strong reactions to West Coast recreational fishing changes



This page prepared on 31 July 2009.