Table Summary of jurisdictional off-site recreational fishing surveys since 2000–01 Jurisdiction Most recent statewide survey Methodology Information collected Cost Future statewide survey plans Source New South Wales (incl. Australian Capital Territory) 2013–14 2013 survey on economic contribution of recreational fishing in NSW Based on NRIFS methodology (phone–diary survey) Telephone household screening survey and sampling supplemented by recreational fishing licence database Fishing participation rates among various subgroups (e.g. age, gender, area of residence) Catch (harvest and release), effort (days and hours fished) and catch rates for key species Other recreational data (e.g. boat ownership, fishing club membership) Awareness and opinions on various fisheries-related issues Expenditure Approx. $1.5 m Unknown Unknown West et al. (2015) Victoria 2000–01 No statewide survey has been undertaken since the NRIFS. However: 2009 web-based survey of recreational fishing licence holders 2012 web-based (email) Inland Fishing Survey: 4500 recreational fishing licence holders surveyed about importance of inland fishing locations An angler diary program has been running since the mid 1990s, providing valuable time series information about catch trends, spawning success, survival and growth rates for key fish species The 2009 survey gathered views on: education protection and restoration of fish habitat increasing fish numbers access fishing rules. 2014 survey (currently in planning) costed at approx. $1m A statewide survey was planned for 2014; still in development 2009 survey: DPI Fisheries Victoria (2010) 2012 survey: DPIE Victoria (2012) Queensland 2013–14 2010–11 2004–05 4 VRFISH surveys between Based on NRIFS methodology (phone–diary survey) 2013–14 survey: Key species caught, fishing locations and techniques Attitudes and awareness of recreational fishing opportunities and management arrangements Approx. $1m Unknown In prep. 2010 statewide survey: Taylor et al. (2012)
Demographics of fishers. South Australia 2007–08 Based on NRIFS methodology (phone–diary survey) Statewide and regional participation levels and demographics of SA residents Effort and catches (retained and released) for 12 key species Attitudes and motivations of recreational fishers Produced the SA Recreational Fishing Atlas, an online portal for fishers, students, community groups, other government departments and the general public Not reported; current survey (in planning) approx. $0.45 m Survey planned but not yet finalised 2007–08 survey: Jones (2009) Western Australia 2013–14 2011–12 Statewide Recreational Boat Fishing Survey was undertaken in 2013–14 (and 2011–12), based on NRIFS methodology – but integrated several survey methods to provide a more robust approach for obtaining annual estimates of recreational catch by boat-based fishers at both statewide and bioregional levels, including sampling from the Recreational Fishing from Boat licence database Estimates of the total recreational catch (both retained and released) and effort by boat-based recreational fishers at statewide and bioregion levels Participation and fishing effort Statewide recreational catch and harvest weights of key species Bioregional fisheries (overview of species composition) Reported to be $3.2 m for 2011–12 survey, but included compliance activities 2013–14 survey unknown Unknown; likely to be 2015–16 2011–12 survey: Ryan et al. (2013) 2013–14 survey: Ryan et al. (2015) Tasmania 2012–13 2007–08 2012–13 and 2007–08 statewide surveys based on the NRIFS methodology (phone–diary survey) Other surveys include: Surveys of Tasmanian recreational rock lobster and abalone fisheries Offshore fishing activities were surveyed between November 2011–September 2012 to gain an understanding of the offshore and game fisheries in Tasmania, particularly in relation to the catch of tunas, pelagic sharks, striped trumpeter and blue-eye trevalla 2012–13 survey: Determine the participation rate and profile the demographic characteristics of recreational fishers Catch and fishing effort by method, region and key species Estimated harvest weights Compare to previous recreational fisheries surveys Report on fisher attitudes, motivations and awareness 2012–13 statewide survey cost approx. $0.5 m Unknown Lyle et al. (2014)
Estimate annual expenditure on recreational fishing by recreational fishers Northern Territory 2009–10 Based on NRIFS methodology (phone–diary survey) Determine the participation rate and profile the demographic characteristics of recreational fishers Catch and fishing effort by region, method and key species Fishing activities and related expenditure Attitudinal survey including boat ownership and fisher opinions and attitudes to various fishing-related matters Approx. $0.5 m Unknown West et al. (2012)
social I really enjoy spending time fishing with friends My family relationships improve because I have fishing as an outlet Skills and knowledge 11 Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about recreational fishing: I have gained useful skills from fishing I have in interest in learning about the marine environment I get a sense of achievement from fishing it is important to teach my children to fish me/my family have learnt about water/boat safety through fishing it is important to pass on skills and knowledge it is important that my family/children learn about the natural (marine) environment Measures the skills and knowledge associated with fishing activity, including water safety, boating safety, nature based knowledge (for kids) and personal development. Learning to fish is associated with social and family networks, with fishing skills, techniques and information being passed to young people from parents, grandparents, friends or extended family (Brown et al. 2012). This data can help inform understanding of the broader factors that help to contribute to learning and skill development in recreational fishing. Proposed question drawing on Brown et al. (2012) Environmental attitudes & awareness Threats 12 To what degree are the following, threats to recreational fishing? pollution over fishing by recreational fishers over fishing by commercial fishers destruction of habitat by development invasive species climate change impacts (e.g. warming waters, ocean acidification and sea level rise closing areas to fishing other (Measured on a scale: No threat/Minor threat/ Major threat/Don’t know) Can inform understanding of threats or issues that recreational fishers believe are important or that potentially impact on recreational fishing. Proposed question based on Sutton (2006) Table Proposed demographic questions for future national recreational fishing surveys Sub-theme Survey questions Delivery Demographics 1 What was (your) age last birthday? a (years) Question asked in Diary Screening Survey 2 Is the person male or female? a, b Question asked in Diary Screening Survey 3 What is the person’s occupation? b (open ended) New question
Table Assessment of reviewed surveys based on criteria outlined in Table 13 Country Primary method Response rates A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O Australia Offsite telephone diary with ancillary regional onsite surveys 80% (SC) 89% (EN) 93% (RET) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes New Zealand Offsite f2f-telephone panel survey with ancillary regional onsite access surveys 86% (SC) 91% (EN) 84% (RET) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes Canada voluntary mail survey NR Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Partial No No Yes Yes Partial Yes United States – Marine Recreational Information Program Completed survey - random-stratified one off RDD survey; intercept at public access points 14% (RDD) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes United States - Game Two phase phone (visit) survey 77% (SC)* 67% (SP)* Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes* No NA NA NA Yes No Yes Brazil Voluntary questionnaire on back of license. Information from authorized fishing events NA Yes No Yes No No No No No No No No No No No No Denmark Two-wave mail recall survey; Omnibus survey for Non-license proportion 73% (MR) Yes Yes Yes Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Partial Yes Finland recall mail survey, follow up phone survey for to establish the proportion of fishing households among 60% (MR) 63% (SR) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes France Complemented: RDD telephone survey; onsite NR Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes