“A strong trout fishery creates flow-on benefits to rural businesses and communities through increased tourism and regional jobs,” Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney said when the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018-28 was launched on Wednesday.

“Our plan outlines measures to increase participation locally and from tourism markets, and balances the needs for individual  fishery management at key lakes and rivers and standardising fishing regulations.

“We also want to reduce the cost of living and encourage more people to go fishing because Tasmania enjoys some of the best trout fishing in the world, and we have delivered on our commitment to freeze inland trout licence fees for the next four years.”

Ms Courtney said the government would back Tasmania hosting the 2019 World Fly Fishing Championships with $100,000 in sponsorship.

She said the state budget contained extra funding to market and promote angling tourism.

“We are also supporting peak group Anglers Alliance Tasmania, expanding the Anglers Access Program across priority lakes and rivers and, in consultation with anglers, amenities will be upgraded at high visitation trout waters,” Ms Courtney said.

She said better access for anglers and better facilities would encourage more community participation and angling tourism.

The report was prepared by the Inland Fisheries Service.

The report said priorities of the Anglers Access Program included: