“Recreational fishing provides a great opportunity for friends and families to spend time together, reconnecting with nature and enjoying the great outdoors,” Minister Basham said. “An estimated 277,000 men, women and children recreationally fish in South Australia and we often look at the economic benefits this sector provides by visiting regional communities, visiting local tackle shops and eating at local restaurants, all of which supports jobs in our regions.

He said that sometimes the wonderful coastal and inland waterways that enable plenty of opportunities for camping, boating and fishing are taken for granted.

The President of the Australian Fishing Trade Association Michael Starkey said the South Australian component of the campaign was part of a larger national Let’s Fish initiative, having already launched in Queensland.

“As we have all grappled with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and other adverse events such as bushfire, drought and flood in recent years it is apparent there has been a significant toll on the health and wellbeing of individuals and families across the country,” Mr Starkey said. “With lockdowns leading to isolation, reduction in exercise and an increased reliance on digital content for stimulation we believe as we emerge into this new post restriction phase of the pandemic, that it is a good time to remind people of the opportunities recreational fishing provides for reconnection to their community and the physical world around them.”

• Aside from potentially helping out with your on-the-rod food budget, how important is fishing to you as a way of ‘de-stressing’ from the rigours of the road and the generals hassles of life? Comment below.