The World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) is celebrating its 10th birthday in our own backyard, with the event being hosted in Melbourne for the first time.
World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) logo
The WRFC International science board will be welcoming delegates from over twenty different countries to the three-day event in February 2023.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling is thrilled to see the event come to life in his hometown. Australia last hosted this conference 20 years ago in 2003 in Darwin at the 3rd World RFC. Recreational fishing has come a long way in the last 20 years (2001-302).
“Get set for riveting presentations, topical discussions, exciting research and a chance to forge new professional networks.” Travis says.
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Keeping pace in a Dynamic and Challenging World with Changing Fisheries’.
The event will have numerous high-profile representatives present. For example, actor and presenter of the Extreme Fishing TV series Robson Green will be a keynote speaker sharing his fishing journey and talking about the great work of the Atlantic Salmon Trust and his role as ambassador. Sascha Clark Danylchuck Executive Officer of Keep Fish Wet, a US based non-profit with a mission to help anglers improve the outcome for each fish they release will talk about science-based best practices for catch-and-release. While Steve Moyer Vice President for Government Affairs at Trout Unlimited’s (TU) headquarters in Arlington, VA will talk about TU’s mission to conserve, protect and restore the nations trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.
One of the Australian speakers is Stan Lui who has been involved with numerous FRDC projects involving Indigenous fishing, such as the Indigenous fishing subprogram: Business Nous – Indigenous business development opportunities and impediments in the fishing and seafood industry (2016-206). This program helped develop analysis tools for indigenous and non-indigenous businesses, along with helping address a number of key areas in the Federal Governments ‘Our North Our Future – White Paper.’
Stan’s will be delving into discussion regarding First Nations People and recreational fisheries.
“The conference will generate exciting dialogue between peers, colleagues and experts within the recreational sector.” Travis says.
FRDC is proudly sponsoring the WRFC and Managing Director of FRDC Patrick Hone will be closing the event on the fourth and final day of the conference.
Patrick is excited to see FRDC be involved in the global conversation regarding recreational fishing.
“An event bringing together recreational fishing enthusiasts, industry trailblazers and global leaders for recreational fishing is highly important in helping us understand and discuss the best way to continue delivering high quality fishing experiences for Australians. It will be an excellent opportunity to see and learn from the world’s very best,” Patrick says.
Registrations to attend the 10th WRFC are still open: https://wrfc10.com/registrations
See more:
- 2016-206 Business Nous – Indigenous business development opportunities and impediments in the fishing and seafood industry
- 2021-131 - World Recreational Fishing Conference 10 Melbourne 19-23rd February 2023
This relates to R&D Plan Outcomes 1 & 5
