Pointing out that anglers will have no voice on vital issues like climate change, natural resource management and competing user groups. Olyott says: "Without a strong, co-ordinated peak body, it's inevitable that recreational fishers will be railroaded when it comes to natural resource management."

Recfish has existed for 25 years on a combination of government grants, membership fees, project management fees and sponsorship funding.

The government last year committed to a three-year, $2 million Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy. So one of the questions Recfish is now asking is how will that money be spent and why is the national body not supported with government funding?

An annual investment of $100,000 has been received from government since 2004. The organisation has launched a sponsorship and donations scheme asking bodies and individuals to help with voluntary funding.

"Anglers are quite happy to spend hundreds of dollars on tackle so surely a $20 donation that will help ensure their rights are recognised is not a big ask, 'said Olyott. More information can be found at www.refish.com.au