Our History
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2015
In 2015, OzFish is officially launched by CEO Craig Copeland at the National Recreational Fishing Conference on the Gold Coast, QLD.
The first OzFish project is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation with a goal to create fish habitat champions across Australia.
53 members signed up in the first year.
Founder Craig Copeland reflects on the first years at OzFish.
2016
The first OzFish chapters are established in the Richmond River, and then Inland Waterways in Dubbo NSW.
OzFish now has 170 members.
In Dubbo NSW, the first River Repair Bus hits the road and an Inland Fishing Summit gathers fishers from across NSW to see what can be done about our waterways.
The first corporate partnership is established with FIIG Securities, and first fishing industry partnership with Shimano Australia.
Read about one of Shimano's planting projects.
Our efforts on the ground are now being led by our growing band of recreational fisher champions as news of OzFish and our vision grows. Jim Stening, OzFish Chair
2017
Craig starts working full-time, and Cassie Price is hired in Ballina as Director of Habitat Programs, to grow projects nationally and lead on-ground work.
New chapters established across Australia, including Adelaide (Onkaparinga), Mildura/Dareton (Sunraysia), South-West Victoria, Tamworth (North-West NSW), Gold Coast QLD and Tenterfield NSW.
BCF becomes OzFish's first major partner.
The first OzFish ambassadors get onboard to help with Steve 'Starlo' Starling, Michael 'Guesty' Guest and Al McGlashan signing up.
The Seagrass for Snapper project kicks off in Western Australia.
2018
Major projects begin Australia-wide with funding from BCF.
The Shellfish Revolution begins in Central Moreton Bay at Bribie Island, and then down near Wynnum where the the Moreton Bay Shellfish Recycling Centre (OysterWorld) is created.
Membership continues to grow steadily with 341 members.
Perth becomes the first chapter in Western Australia.
Craig reached out to our then Managing Director, Anothony Heraghty, to share his vision for restoring Australia's fish habitat.
At the time, BCF had never really delved into that space, but it was a natural fit—fishing is one of our biggest passions and core categories.
Supporting the environment and fish habitat was a no-brainer for us. Frank Cimone, BCF Marketing Specialist
2019
A partnership with Landcare NSW, called Driving Fish Habitat Action, kicks off with support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts to drive more habitat works across the state.
OzFish headquarters moves out from under Craig's house and shed, to an office in Ballina.
Major fish rescue operations are carried out across the Murray–Darling Basin this year, as a result of drought.
Membership passes a milestone with 559 members amongst 30 chapters.
Volunteers contribute an incredible 26,930 hours in fish habitat restoration this year alone.
2020
Seeds for Snapper begins in South Australia.
41 chapters work to deliver 60 projects across Australia from shellfish to seagrass, re-snagging rivers, and replanting riparian zones from the coast to inland.
David Smith from the Central Moreton Bay Chapter.
2021
Recreational fishers give back to fish habitat with 28,644 hours contributed by 2,577 members.
On-ground projects continue to increase with 89 habitat restoration projects delivered in 2021.
The first national Clean Up Australia Day campaign is coordinated across all OzFish chapters.
Really proud to belong to an organisation that makes the sort of impact we do. Ben Broadfoot, OzFish member.
2022
With new chapters, project managers and more projects, the OzFish staff count reaches 28 employees.
OzFish reaches a new milestone with 3,706 active members.
The OzFisher of the Year Awards begin, and John Larsson is recognised as the first national OzFisher of the Year.
The Junior OzFishers program starts.
Small Change 4 Big Change weekend kicks off as a major annual fundraiser with BCF.
Allan shares his story as a Junior OzFisher
2023
Craig delivers a keynote speech at the World Recreational Fishing Conference. Other OzFish staff and members also delivered speaches, with a large delegation attending.
30 OzFish staff deliver 89 project across Australia, with over 28,079 volunteer hours contributed from our members.
Young Leaders program begins!
…whether mapping habitats, picking up litter or engaging fishers in sustainable practices, OzFishers are making a difference in their local waterway… Chairman David Coogan.
2024
OzFish now has 52 chapters, and 41 staff across Australia.
Craig Copeland steps back. Our former Director of Habitat Programs, Cassie Price, becomes the new OzFish CEO.
Volunteers spend 40,000 hours restoring fish habitat.
Habitat action by OzFishers, in this year alone, supports the creation of 1,131,255 more fish!
I knew we had an opportunity to build an organisation that did things differently—one that challenged the models of both both conservation and other fishing advocacy groups, and I wanted to be part of that. Cassie Price, OzFish CEO.
2025
Our biggest year yet, with 110+ projects being delivered.
Fish Dreaming is launched with key partnerships with First Nations organisations. OzFish now employs 3 River Culture Officers.
OzFish celebrates 10 years!
Programs that educate recreational fishers about the traditional knowledge for a shared outcome for caring for Country, caring for water, caring for our communities, for a sustainable future for all our grandchildren to enjoy. Rachael Cavanagh, OzFish Director and Minyungbal mibbiny from the Yugambeh Nation of Northern NSW and SEQ.