The ARFF Board is responsible for setting the goals and policies of the foundation and ensuring that its strategies, programs and initiatives fulfil the vision and purpose of the organisation. Drawn from across the Australian recreational angling community, the ARFF Board includes prominent recreational fishing leaders and passionate anglers who materially contribute to the advancement of Australia’s recreational fishing sector.
The current ARFF board is made up of:
Ian Bladin | Director
Ian has been a passionate recreational angler since childhood and over more than thirty years that has extended to game fishing, chasing marlin in particular. Being based in South Queensland allows Ian the opportunity to fish both light and heavy tackle depending on the season, although his greater interest has always been for juvenile black marlin on light tackle over the summer months. The thrill for him comes from all aspects, from rigging and presenting baits to the fish, to either angling or as the skipper of his vessel, helping others catch their dream fish. He has fished extensively along the Queensland Coast, including many trips to the reef chasing heavy tackle black marlin.
Ian spent many years as a member of the Executive of the Queensland Game Fishing Association, serving seven terms as its President and is a Life Member of the Association. His involvement in administration and advocacy for recreational angling has spanned in excess of twenty years and present he is a participant on the Tropical Tuna Management Advisory Committee. He is the current President of the Game Fishing Association of Australia.
Jane Gallichan | Director
Jane is a dedicated advocate for recreational fishing with over a decade of experience in community engagement and marine resources management in Tasmania.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing (TARFish), Jane brings the views and experiences of recreational fishing opportunities and issues that is informed by her background in corporate affairs and business strategy.
Jane routinely provides advice to government, engages with the broad spectrum of recreational fishers, the commercial sector, and other stakeholders, and believes that decision making must be supported by robust science and best fishing practice.
As the recreational fishing sector grows and matures, Jane’s view is that in addition to the advocacy work that is undertaken by ARFF on behalf of recreational fishers, there is also a responsibility to provide services to the sector, particularly in the areas of stewardship, education and research.
Dr. Andrew Rowland | Director
Andrew is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Recfishwest, a role he has filled since 2012. Andrew has long been avid fisher and enjoys many types from marron, trout and redfin to offshore species and everything in between. He loves getting on the water at all opportunities and will be found in his boat or kayak or wading the flats most weekends. He studied at Murdoch University and has a Ph.D. in Fisheries Science. He is a Director for Fishability (formally Fishers with Disabilities Association). Andrew’s past roles have included being a member of FRDC’s Recfishing Research Steering Committee and a member of the Premier’s Marine Science Roundtable.
Andrew believes that recfishing provides significant social, cultural, health and economic benefits and is passionate about maintaining and building this value for the benefit to the whole community. He understands that natural resource management requires striking a balance between competing user groups, and various (often diverse) stakeholders in protecting the resource which they value. A key component to achieving the right balance is ensuring the interest and values of those who enjoy fishing are effectively represented and that decisions are evidence-based.
Andrew is dedicated to supporting innovations that drive an evolution in aquatic resource management through techniques such as stock enhancement, habitat restoration and artificial reef systems in meeting the future challenges facing the recreational fishing sector. He believes that the sector itself has an important role to play in creating fish stocks with greater abundances and resilience, and in helping adapt our current management practices to better protect and develop great fishing experiences.
Cassie Price | Director
Cass is a lifetime fisher, first fishing South Australia’s Gulfs before moving to Ballina (NSW north coast). Cass is a saltwater sport fisher, but dabbles in freshwater fishing from time to time and enjoys fishing in all of its forms.
Cass has experience in the boating and chandlery industry and in the commercial fishing sector (spanner crab and line caught fish) in past family businesses. Her formal qualifications and training are in science with a major in fisheries and aquaculture management. With a career path leading to fish habitat and conservation, Cass has spent over 25 years working in the not-for-profit sector in community driven wetland and fish habitat restoration. Cass has a range of experience working with NGOs including WetlandCare Australia, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Landcare NSW and OzFish Unlimited. Cass is currently Chief Executive Officer of OzFish since July 2024.
Cass also considers herself an emerging female leader in the recreational fishing and natural resource management sectors. Her current fishing focus is to encourage women and children in their fishing pursuits and to give her own two children great fishing experiences. She is an active member of a number of women’s recreation fishing groups, and regularly gives inspirational presentations to their upcoming leaders. She was also a founding Director of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League.
Russell Conway | Director
Russell is a dedicated leader in Australia’s recreational fishing sector, serving as Director on the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation Board since October 2021. With a strong background in strategic planning, government relations, and public policy, Russell plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of recreational anglers across Australia.
Over the past three decades, Russell has been deeply involved in the recreational fishing community, contributing to various initiatives and organisations that promote responsible and sustainable fishing practices and community engagement. Russell has been Chair of VRFish, the Chair of RecFish Australia and the President of the Metropolitan Angling Association, fostering community engagement and promoting responsible fishing practices across Victoria. He is also a Life Member of the Greensborough Angling Club, reflecting his long-standing commitment to local fishing communities.
Russell enjoys a wide range of fishing interests from Trout fishing in mountain streams, chasing Australian Native species, Barramundi in the Territory and Game fishing in our marine waters. Russell has also had the privilege of fishing for international species in England, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand.
Russell is focused on building the number of recreational fishers across Australia and also raising awareness of the social, economic and community benefits of recreational fishing.
David Ciaravolo | Director
David serve
s as the Chief Executive Officer of the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT), representing over 30,000 recreational fishers. His leadership experience in the sector spans over seven years, in addition to his previous role as Executive Director at RecFish SA, making him a valuable asset to the ARFF Board.
His passion began from a young age, fishing for trout, but now with experience fishing around Australia and other parts of the world, his pursuits cover all types of fishing, especially freshwater predators and bluewater pelagics.
David is dedicated to ensuring the NT recreational fishing sector is well-represented in fisheries management. He is passionate about building capacity within the fishing community and has actively mentored future leaders. David’s commitment to sustainable development and management is evident in AFANT’s active engagement in research, education, and community initiatives.