In 1986 the of Queensland Government established the Recreational Fishing Enhancement Program under the auspices of Fisheries of Queensland. The program  was initially funded $1M per year for a three year period, and encompassed both freshwater and saltwater fisheries. A significant portion of the funding was allocated to stocking freshwater impoundments, and to a lesser extent rivers and creeks., The structure was for Fisheries of Queensland, co-jointly with SunWater, SEQWater, and other water storage owners, to create community based fish stocking groups in the locality of these impoundments, and other waterways., These local groups comprised of representatives of Shire Councils ,, Service Clubs, fishing clubs, and community members of the area., To be part of the program, the local stocking group had to be registered with, Fisheries of Queensland to be eligible as a participant in the scheme.

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FFSAQ is administered by a Management Committee that is made up of representatives from stocking groups and fishing clubs throughout the state, who are affiliated with FFSAQ. FFSAQ is a legal identity being incorporated under the Queensland Associations Incorporation Act.

Primarily, FFSAQ’s role is to liaise with and service fish stocking groups, fishing clubs, and individual fishers with an objective to enhance the freshwater fishery, to rehabilitate and maintain our wild fishery.   FFSAQ is an intermediary between the community and Government, and deals in the main with issues of a state nature on behalf of stocking groups.  Stocking groups and fishing clubs address more localized issues. FFSAQ itself does not engage in any actual fish stocking activity, this is undertaken by the local stocking groups. It is emphasised that impoundments are "put, grow and take” fisheries. There is a misconception amongst some that fingerlings stocked will eventually reproduce and establish a natural and self-sustaining population, this is far from reality. In the main, most of the species stocked will not reproduce in manmade impoundments. As such, the annual project of releasing fingerlings is one that is required year after year. It is quite a demanding and expensive exercise. 

FFSAQ undertakes an advisory role to stocking groups, and acts on their behalf whenever necessary. The monitoring and enhancement of our natural waterways is now a considerable part of FFSAQ's agenda.

FFSAQ has now an ongoing and increasing dialogue with both Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland and the Parliamentary arm of Government. Where necessary, FFSAQ has and will continue to present its case quite strongly to resolve certain issues that, in our opinion are paramount to the betterment of the fishery. It is important to maintain a good line of communication with government agencies.

The role of FFSAQ is a major component is the enhancement and sustainability of our freshwater fishery. However the dedication and commitment of the mostly small and local community based fish stocking groups and fishing clubs is to be commended. Without the involvement of these groups, this fishery would not exist.  The fishery of today has developed a considerable recreational opportunity that previously was non-existent to freshwater anglers.

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