Communique - November General Meeting 2025
Communiqué – AAT General Meeting
Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
Location: Great Lake Community Centre, Miena
The Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) held its General Meeting on Sunday 30 November 2025 at the Great Lake Community Centre.
Meeting Overview
Members introduced themselves and outlined their fishing interests. Minutes from the previous meeting (24 August) were confirmed.
Key Reports and Updates
Financial Report
The financial report to 26 November 2025 was presented and accepted.
AAT Activities Since Last Meeting
AAT participated in three IFS forums, receiving positive feedback.
Howard Jones attended the NWFF open day recently.
Webcam Project: Lake Sorell camera installed and operational. AAT acknowledges contributions from Malcolm Crosse, David Lipscombe, Andrew Reed, Terry Byard, Adrian Hope, and landowner Nicole Ruff.
Insect Sampling at Penstock: citizen science sampling for the third consecutive year was held 29 November with 21 participants attending.
Hall of Fame: Jan Spencer was inducted at the recent Great Lake Tie-In event
Bushfest: Successful event attended by Chris Hilton and Terry Byard.
Hatchery Box Trial: Positive early results in NW. Potential for wider club involvement at other sites in future if this trial is successful.
Insurance Review: Work underway on policy options.
IFS Report
New Minister: Gavin Pearce, actively engaging with IFS and AAT.
Budget Updates: Additional funds allocated to IFS ($208k last year; $258k this year).
Staffing: New appointments: Jamie McCallister (Recreational Fisheries Manager) and Scott Hardie (Pest Fish, Native Fish & Ecology Manager).
Tagged trout promotion - two fish caught to date.
Hydro/IFS meetings:
Neutral rainfall outlook for this year operational changes expected with Tarraleah offline. Water management adjustments across key lakes.
Weed bed decline noted at Little Pine and Woods Lake.
Estuary Perch survey completed with 172 fish recorded.
MOU discussions ongoing with Tas Land Conservancy regarding Silver Plains, Pine Tier Dam, and Vale River.
Concerns raised about low fish productivity in some waters, including Little Pine, Brushy Lagoon, Curries Dam, and South Riana.
Whitebait - reports of low catch rate statewide;
Hydro Update
Hydro data and water-level information were tabled. AAT acknowledged Hydro’s increased engagement.
Other Key Business
Water Safety & First Aid Program
AAT preparing to circulate invitations for Royal Life Saving
AAT/IFS Deed Working Group
IFS considering water temperature monitoring across 15–20 sites - data may be available on websites (AAT and IFS)
IFAC
The Minister emphasised improving the fishery and encouraged members to bring forward constructive ideas.
General Business
Fisheries Improvement: Suggestions invited regarding access and potential enhancements, including Brumby’s Creek.
Shannon Lagoon: Proposal to revisit late‑1990s report; to be raised with IFS.
Landcare & Catchment Management: Concerns raised over project follow‑through. AAT to engage with Derwent Catchment Program, NRM South, TEER, and NRM North.
Next Meeting
1 March 2026 at the Great Lake Community Centre.