l
TASMANIAN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE | MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHERY RESEARCH PLAN | 2005-2008
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Investment in fi shing assets and expenditure on recreational fi shing generate substantial economic activity and jobs throughout
Tasmania. For instance, an estimated 23,000 boats, with a market value of almost $150 million, were used for recreational
fi shing between June 1999 and May 2000. In addition, expenditure directly attributed to recreational fi shing activity during
2000/01 was estimated to be in excess of $50 million. This fi gure represents a minimum estimate, since it does not include
all items of expenditure that can be associated with fi shing.
R & D STATUS
There has been a marked increase in the research effort directed at the recreational fi shery since the mid-1990s. Of particular
signifi cance is the recent national recreational fi shing survey, which has provided the fi rst comprehensive assessment of the
fi shery in Tasmania and thus represents an important benchmark against which future developments may be evaluated. In
addition, surveys relating to catch and effort for licensed fi shing activities, namely recreational net, rock lobster and abalone
fi sheries, and the gamefi sh fi shery, have been completed. As an adjunct to catch and effort surveys, fi shers’ attitudes to
fi sheries-related matters have been evaluated to aid resource managers in developing and evaluating management strategies
and education programs. On-site catch sampling has also been undertaken, providing information about the size and species
composition of recreational catches.
New research initiatives include biological studies of recreationally important species and investigation of the effects
of fi shing, including post-release survival.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Investment in fi shing assets and expenditure on recreational fi shing generate substantial economic activity and jobs throughout
Tasmania. For instance, an estimated 23,000 boats, with a market value of almost $150 million, were used for recreational
fi shing between June 1999 and May 2000. In addition, expenditure directly attributed to recreational fi shing activity during
2000/01 was estimated to be in excess of $50 million. This fi gure represents a minimum estimate, since it does not include
all items of expenditure that can be associated with fi shing.
R & D STATUS
There has been a marked increase in the research effort directed at the recreational fi shery since the mid-1990s. Of particular
signifi cance is the recent national recreational fi shing survey, which has provided the fi rst comprehensive assessment of the
fi shery in Tasmania and thus represents an important benchmark against which future developments may be evaluated. In
addition, surveys relating to catch and effort for licensed fi shing activities, namely recreational net, rock lobster and abalone
fi sheries, and the gamefi sh fi shery, have been completed. As an adjunct to catch and effort surveys, fi shers’ attitudes to
fi sheries-related matters have been evaluated to aid resource managers in developing and evaluating management strategies
and education programs. On-site catch sampling has also been undertaken, providing information about the size and species
composition of recreational catches.
New research initiatives include biological studies of recreationally important species and investigation of the effects
of fi shing, including post-release survival.
fisk
Marine Recreational Fishery
BACKGROUND
Recreational fi shing is very popular in Tasmania, with almost one-third of all Tasmanians participating in this pastime
each year. A variety of fi shing activities are pursued to target a broad range of fi nfi sh and shellfi sh species, many of which
also have commercial signifi cance.
The 2000/01 national survey of recreational fi shing provided a comprehensive snapshot of the Tasmanian recreational
fi shery, including information on rates of participation, demographic characteristics of fi shers, details of fi shing and
economic activity.
FISHERY
During 2000/01 recreational fi shers fi shed for a total of 816,000 person days, equivalent to an average of almost seven days per
fi sher. Almost three-quarters of this fi shing effort occurred in saltwater as opposed to freshwater. Line fi shing is by far the most
common fi shing activity, being conducted from either boat or shore using bait or lures. Flathead dominate the retained catch
of saltwater fi sh followed by Australian salmon and a range of other fi nfi sh and squid species. In 2000/01, an estimated 360
tonnes of fl athead was retained (almost six times the commercial catch), 110 tonnes of Australian salmon (about one-quarter
of the commercial catch) and about 25 tonnes of calamary (about one-third of the commercial catch).
Tasmania is also recognised for its gamefi shing, with several species of tuna, including southern bluefi n, yellowfi n and albacore
tuna, being highly sought after.
Unlike most other states, gillnets can be used by recreational fi shers, the main target species being blue warehou, bastard
trumpeter and fl ounder. Flounder are also targeted using spears in shallow embayments.
Rock lobster is primarily taken by pots and diving but in some areas ring nets are used effectively to target the species.
Abalone are harvested by diving. In 2002/03, recreational fi shers harvested an estimated 150 tonnes of rock lobster and
70 tonnes of abalone.
MANAGEMENT
Management of the recreational fi shery is covered by the separate scalefi sh, rock lobster, abalone and scallop management
plans. In addition to prescribing the types of gear that can be used, size and bags limits and seasonal and area closures, the
management of the recreational fi shery is underpinned by a licensing system for selected fi shing activities. The recreational
use of nets is covered within this licensing system, as is fi shing for rock lobster, abalone and scallops.
TASMANIAN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE | MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHERY RESEARCH PLAN | 2005-2008
BACKGROUND
Recreational fi shing is very popular in Tasmania, with almost one-third of all Tasmanians participating in this pastime
each year. A variety of fi shing activities are pursued to target a broad range of fi nfi sh and shellfi sh species, many of which
also have commercial signifi cance.
The 2000/01 national survey of recreational fi shing provided a comprehensive snapshot of the Tasmanian recreational
fi shery, including information on rates of participation, demographic characteristics of fi shers, details of fi shing and
economic activity.
FISHERY
During 2000/01 recreational fi shers fi shed for a total of 816,000 person days, equivalent to an average of almost seven days per
fi sher. Almost three-quarters of this fi shing effort occurred in saltwater as opposed to freshwater. Line fi shing is by far the most
common fi shing activity, being conducted from either boat or shore using bait or lures. Flathead dominate the retained catch
of saltwater fi sh followed by Australian salmon and a range of other fi nfi sh and squid species. In 2000/01, an estimated 360
tonnes of fl athead was retained (almost six times the commercial catch), 110 tonnes of Australian salmon (about one-quarter
of the commercial catch) and about 25 tonnes of calamary (about one-third of the commercial catch).
Tasmania is also recognised for its gamefi shing, with several species of tuna, including southern bluefi n, yellowfi n and albacore
tuna, being highly sought after.
Unlike most other states, gillnets can be used by recreational fi shers, the main target species being blue warehou, bastard
trumpeter and fl ounder. Flounder are also targeted using spears in shallow embayments.
Rock lobster is primarily taken by pots and diving but in some areas ring nets are used effectively to target the species.
Abalone are harvested by diving. In 2002/03, recreational fi shers harvested an estimated 150 tonnes of rock lobster and
70 tonnes of abalone.
MANAGEMENT
Management of the recreational fi shery is covered by the separate scalefi sh, rock lobster, abalone and scallop management
plans. In addition to prescribing the types of gear that can be used, size and bags limits and seasonal and area closures, the
management of the recreational fi shery is underpinned by a licensing system for selected fi shing activities. The recreational
use of nets is covered within this licensing system, as is fi shing for rock lobster, abalone and scallops.
TASMANIAN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE | MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHERY RESEARCH PLAN | 2005-2008
