There are four related needs that would be addressed by the proposed project:
1. Assessments that require annual estimates of the recreational fishery as well as the commercial fishery
2. Resource allocation decisions
3. Development, implementation and review of fishery management plans
4. Matching the spatial resolution of recreational fishing data to the spatial scale at which fisheries are managed.

1. Estimates of total catch are of fundamental importance for undertaking stock assessments. The need for such data is frequently identified in fishery and stock assessments for Victorian Bay and Inlet Fisheries. The total catch by the recreational sector of some key species, such as snapper, whiting and bream, may be similar to or even exceed that by the commercial sector, but annual estimates of angler catches are difficult to obtain. The recently completed NRIFS has provided estimates of total catch for each State and for the Nation as a whole. However, these data have been collected at a broader spatial scale than that at which fish stocks and fisheries are usually assessed and managed. The exercise is unlikely to be repeated at less than 5 year intervals because of the expense and time involved. Methods need to be developed that allow such data to be collected from Victoria’s recreational fisheries on an annual basis, in a cost-effective manner, and at an appropriate spatial scale.

2. Resource allocation issues between the commercial and recreational fishing sectors are of increasing importance for fisheries managers. Victoria is likely soon to implement a formal resource allocation process for key bay and inlet fish resources that will require on-going estimates of total catch by each fishing sector to determine whether or not catch sharing targets are being met. The ability to set appropriate targets for particular fish resources is currently hampered by a lack of information on total catches by the recreational sector.

3. Development of ESD-based fishery management plans for Victoria’s bay and inlet fisheries is about to commence, adding a further important management context to the provision of estimates of total catch by the recreational sector. Having current information on the extent and dynamics of the recreational sector will be important in the development, implementation and review of these management plans.

4. The NRIFS will provide a very useful State-wide snapshot of recreational fishing catches, but its findings will become increasingly outdated. The assessment and management of individual fisheries in Victoria is also usually undertaken at a finer spatial scale than that provided by the NRIFS. Although the National survey may be repeated in several years there is a need for ongoing annual estimates of total recreational catch of key species that provides data at the spatial scale at which assessment and most management occurs. The breadth and complexity of the NRIFS, and its novelty, have contributed to the extended time period needed for analysis and reporting of results (over 16 months). This is understandable and probably acceptable for a large scale survey that is unlikely to be repeated more than once every 5 years, but is less useful for stock assessment purposes where more frequent and even annual reviews are desirable.

The experience with the NRIFS, and similar methods used in New Zealand, indicates that the method is potentially extremely useful. However, its applicability to smaller spatial scales and as an ongoing survey technique remains to be tested. Regardless of which method (or combination of methods) is chosen as the most appropriate for Victoria, it is always important to trial a new survey design before it is implemented (Pollock et al. 1994).

How the proposed project would meet these needs is further outlined in B6 – Planned Outcomes.