Media Release

For immediate use

19 July 2001

IS MY FISH WORTH MORE THAN YOUR FISH?

The critical question of how Australia's $2.5 billion fishing industry should be shared between commercial and recreational fishers has been addressed in a book launched by Senator Ian Macdonald, Minister for Forestry and Conservation in Sydney today.

"Valuing Fisheries: An Economic Framework" the latest book by Professor Tor Hundloe, one of Australia's leading environmental economists, will finally put to bed the voodoo economics of fishermen everywhere.

Valuing Fishieres is based on a project funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and sets out in clear language, with simple examples, the correct economic method to be used to be used to value fisheries.

"The book shows that arguments between commercial and recreational fishermen that 'my fish is worth more than your fish' are nearly always based on false notions of economic value and it outlines what economic approaches should be used," said Professor Hundloe.

"However, the book is about much more than just valuing recreational and commercial fishing. It presents approaches for understanding and incorporating the value of indigenous peoples fishing rights into fisheries management. This is a critical issue for the future management of fisheries for all Australians," he said

"The aim is to improve decision-making so that everyone can enjoy a seafood meal, drop a line in the water or observe fish in a natural environment without unnecessary conflict."
Professor Hundloe said it is critical that the sharing of fisheries resources is based on economic approaches that compare apples with apples, but that this has not been the way resources have been allocated in many jurisdictions..

"It is clear that many agencies have struggled to come to terms with fisheries economics, but this book should aid them in the future," said Professor Hundloe.

The FRDC is responsible for planning, funding and managing fisheries R&D and facilitating the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of the results. The FRDC is a statutory authority of the Commonwealth Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia.

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Professor Tor Hundloe, University of Queensland Mobile: 0412 485 691
Kylie Paulsen, FRDC Communications Coordinator Mobile: 0438 630 491