AS Fisho reported earlier this week, representative rec fishing body Recfishwest has appointed Andrew Rowland as its new chief executive officer, following Frank Prokop’s retirement.
Recfishwest chairman Andrew Matthews said he was overwhelmed by the quality of candidates who applied for the role and acknowledged he was confident that Dr Rowland would build on Recfishwest’s strong foundations.
“Dr Rowland is a true leader and is passionate about Recfishwest and the recreational fishing community,” Matthews said.
“During the past three years at Recfishwest, he has impressed past and current board members and colleagues with his energy, commitment and enthusiasm towards enhancing the recreational fishing experience for all West Australians.”
“We are looking forward to the tremendous value he will add to the recreational fishing sector in his new role.”
Fisho contacted Dr Rowland and he outlined below what he sees as priorities for Recfishwest over the next few years.
- Continue to foster a strong partnership with fisheries managers and researchers to further our knowledge of Western Australian fisheries to ensure appropriate management strategies can be implemented for the effective conservation of the resource.
- Ensure recreational fishing is recognised as a key activity in all marine park planning processes both at a state and Federal level.
- Promote recreational fishing as a family friendly, sustainable and environmentally sound pastime.Identify and progress opportunities for enhancement of recreational fishing experiences through fish stocking and rehabilitation of habitat.
- Identify and progress the benefits and opportunities of artificial reefs, fish aggregation devices and other fishing enhancement structures.
- Provide ongoing advice to the Minister on the management of recreational fishing licence revenue.Pursue recreational access rights for the administration of the recreational catch allocation.
- Promote the concept of Wilderness Conservation Areas with the view to establishing zones in suitable locations.
- Promote responsible fishing practices through our children’s Fishing Clinic Program.Continue to develop next generation of leaders in recreational fishing.
- Ensure development of quality research proposals that meet biological, social and economic needs.
- Ensure extension and adoption of relevant results to recreational fishers.
“We are really focussing on the good news issues, enhancing fishing experiences and encouraging participation,” Dr Rowland told Fisho.
For more on Recfishwest go online to: www.recfish
