Anti-discrimination Test requirement as insurmountable obstacle According to the hitherto prevailing conditions set down in the fishing laws of the Laender, those interested had to pass a fishing test in order to be allowed to take part in the sport on a regular basis. In most cases, this posed an insurmountable obstacle for persons with disabilities. Without a fishing test, one can only practice this sport with a guest card for a limited period of time. AOB recommendation received positively This does not comply with the regulations of the UN CRPD, which demand the equal right to participation in recreation, leisure and sporting activities. The AOB also criticised the de facto exclusion of persons with disabilities from fishing and made reference to scientific evidence that fishing has positive effects on persons with severe disabilities. The AOB suggested either to create a regulation applicable for the entire country or to change the fishing laws in the Laender in order to make it possible for persons with disabilities to practice the sport. The existing regulations for minors and children could be used for orientation purposes. Persons with disabilities should be allowed to go fishing accompanied by someone who has a valid fishing licence. This suggestion was taken up positively by all Laender, and changes in legislation were announced. New regulation in Vorarlberg Vorarlberg was the first Land to create the following new legal regulation in their fishing law: “A permit may be granted to persons with disabilities who are unable to provide proof of their professional ability in the form of a fishing licence pursuant to §14 under the condition that they may only fish when accompanied by a person who is professionally qualified to fish … The Land Government shall enact the detailed provisions regarding the professional ability per regulation. Therein shall be set down in particular … that fewer requirements shall apply for persons who have not yet completed their 16th year as well as for persons with disabilities.” The change in legislation shall become effective on 1 January 2017. More Laender to follow Draft legislation has existed in Carinthia since the summer of 2016 and is currently being debated in the Diet. The Laender of Burgenland, Tyrol and Vienna announced relevant changes in legislation for 2017. A change is foreseen for the next amendment to the fishing law in Styria. Even Salzburg, who was hesitant at first, has announced the inclusion of a pertinent provision in the next amendment of the fishing law. In Upper Austria, the suggestions gathered concerning this topic are currently being discussed on the political level. In Lower Austria, a relevant provision to make fishing easier for persons with disabilities was, despite being announced, regrettably not included in the most recent amendment to the fishing law. The AOB hopes that the announced changes in legislation will be enforced quickly in all Laender. 38