A national Community of Practice (CoP) for recreational fishing research, known as ReelLink, is currently being explored under the RecFishing Research Coordination Program as an exciting next step toward greater collaboration and connectivity across the sector.
While funding and final structures are still being confirmed, the concept has already gained strong support from researchers, managers, and fishers nationwide. A kick-off meeting is commencing this month (October 2025) to bring together interested participants and begin shaping what this national network could look like in practice.
Why a Community of Practice?
A Community of Practice provides a shared space for people with a common interest or profession to connect, learn from one another, and co-create solutions. For Australia’s recreational fishing research community, this kind of collaboration is essential. It helps turn research insights into real-world outcomes, supports consistency across states and regions, and strengthens the collective voice of those invested in the future of recreational fishing.
By linking recreational fishers, researchers, and managers, ReelLink aims to break down silos and encourage knowledge sharing, mentoring, and co-design of research that directly responds to the sector’s needs.
How ReelLink Could Benefit the Sector
ReelLink could play a key role in advancing the goals of the RecFishing Research Coordination Program by:
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Strengthening coordination – providing a national mechanism for sharing knowledge and aligning research with sector priorities.
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Accelerating knowledge exchange – facilitating webinars, discussions, and shared learning opportunities that help research reach those who can use it.
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Building capacity and collaboration – supporting skills development and mentoring between researchers, managers, and community members.
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Amplifying visibility and impact – highlighting success stories and showcasing how research delivers tangible benefits to fishers and their communities.
Focus Areas and Next Steps
Early engagement with stakeholders has identified three initial themes that will guide ReelLink’s development:
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Resilient Fish Stocks
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Social Licence to Operate
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Great Fishing Experiences
The kick-off meeting this month will begin exploring how the CoP can best operate — from communication methods and meeting frequency to how members can contribute to shared outcomes.
Looking Ahead
ReelLink represents a hopeful and proactive step toward building a connected, collaborative, and future-ready recreational fishing research community. Even in its early stages, it reflects a growing appetite across the sector for unity, shared learning, and lasting impact.