Our Team
Working together to deliver results
TARFish is led by a volunteer Board of passionate recreational fishers from around Tasmania with a diverse range of skills and experience.
The Board is currently comprised of an Independent Chairman, four Full Member Delegates from our member organisations and six Associate Members based on their skill and representation.
The Board is supported by the CEO to manage the day to day operations of TARFish.
Our Board
Paul Lennon
Independent Chair
Paul joined the TARFish Board in 2020 as Independent Chair. As a former Premier and currently Chairman and board member of a number of private organisations, Paul brings deep understanding of the political and bureaucratic process coupled with strong governance capability and a passion for the Tasmanian way of life of which recreational fishing is a cornerstone. Paul believes recreational fishing is a very important part of Tasmania’s unique quality of life and welcomes the opportunity to help Tasmania’s fishers get a better deal and secure a sustainable recreational fishing future for generations to come. Paul’s aim in joining the TARFish Board is to assist the organisation to improve the effectiveness of engagement with Government, organise for maximum effect and from that, deliver better results for Tasmania’s recreational fishers.
John Edwards
Deputy Chair
John has been fishing Tasmanian waters for more than 50 years. In his early years he was a keen diver participating in spear fishing and representing Tasmania in the Australian Spearfishing Championships. His early working years saw him commercially cray fishing the east, south and west coasts as well as scallop fishing in the north east. John became interested in game fishing during the early 80's while he lived and worked in a land based occupation on the Tasman Peninsula. In recent years John has been an enthusiastic game fishing competition competitor, is a current member of the Tuna Club of Tasmania and the Southern Gamefish Club. He is the current President of the Tasmanian Game Fishing Association representing 5 member clubs state wide. Fishing to John is seen as the jewel in the crown of the best state in Australia and is world class in what it offers every Tasmanian.
Mike Stevens
Treasurer
Tasmanian born, Mike Stevens was a founding adviser of the TARFish Board and returned in 2020 to represent Tasmania’s northern region fishers and assist TARFish to develop contemporary and effective policies and improve governance. Mike is currently the owner of a long established Launceston fishing tackle store, Essential Flyfisher and owner and editor of Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News which he established in 1998. Mike has previously held positions on the Minister’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RecFAC), MAST Board and was founding Chair of Anglers Alliance Tasmania. A passionate fisher of all types, Mike initiated ‘Take a Kid Fishing Program’ for a number of years and has fished in state and national bream tournaments. He has fished in New Zealand, USA, Maldives, Pacific Islands, and all states of Australia in fresh and salt water. Mike has also done a 6.40am Saturday morning radio segment on ABC for over twenty years.
Stephen Bax
Steve opened The Fishing Connection in July 1986 after realising a dream to own and run a retail fishing tackle store. Steve has over 40 years experience in the fishing retail industry first starting WS Edwards in Salamanca. Steve is a member of AFTA (Australian Fishing Tackle Association) and has been a TARFish Board Member since 2014. Steve has extensive estuary, game and general fishing experience – his passions being sea run trout and tuna. Recently Steve and his son successfully caught Kingfish in the River Derwent. Steve fished in Vanuatu where he has caught YFT, Barracuda and fought Blue Marlin.
Jeremy Lyle
In addition to being a keen recreational fisher since childhood, Jeremy has over 40 years applied fisheries research experience that has included a strong focus supporting the sustainable management of commercial and recreational fisheries. In relation to recreational fisheries, Jeremy has led and collaborated on numerous fisher surveys (covering fishing practices, human dimensions and socio-economic aspects) in Tasmania, other Australian states and overseas countries, undertaken biological and ecological research on a wide range of recreationally significant species (life history, population dynamics, post release survivorship, etc) and contributed to fisheries management and policy development within Tasmania and elsewhere.
Alison Hay
Originally from Launceston, Alison is a current practicing lawyer in Hobart, holds a science law degree and comes from a family of dedicated recreational fishers. With sound knowledge of natural resource management together with good understanding of the legislative framework and government processes, Alison brings a high level of strategic thinking and a fresh perspective to the TARFish Board.
Jane Gallichan
Chief Executive Officer
Jane was appointed CEO in 2020 and believes that recreational fishing is part of the Tasmanian way of life, delivering social, cultural, health and economic benefits right around the state for the benefit of all Tasmanians. Jane brings a collaborative approach to the leadership of TARFish with a focus on increased representation and outcomes and providing a direct link between recreational fishers, Government and stakeholders.