A market research-driven and co-management approach to developing an industry strategy for the SA Charter Boat Fishery
Industry has highlighted a need to address this declining trend through accessing new opportunities.
While the fishery is a commercial operation offering a recreational fishing platform, it is not explicitly accounted for in the process of assessing recreational or commercial fishery performance.
The need to better understand the needs and wants of the fishery’s client group (recreational fishers) and the capacity of the charter fleet to meet this demand is critical to addressing the continued decline in participation and fishery profitability.
Addressing the reasons for the ongoing decline is important if the industry is to improve its economic performance. The fishery has capacity within its resource shares for growth for a wide range of species including key species such as Snapper and King George whiting.
Notwithstanding this, there is also a need to explore and develop broader experiences for clients on charter operations other than fishing.
Evidence that the project has industry ownership and this application is strongly supported can be found in the attached letter of support from the Surveyed Charter Boat Owners & Operators Association of South Australia (SCBOOASA).
Final report
This project investigated the South Australian Charter Boat Fishery by conducting analyses to identify potential actions for growth to counter the declining level of activity and profitability in the industry.
The SA Charter industry has shown declining in trends in economic returns and participation, highlighted a need to address these declines through accessing new opportunities. To do this a targeted analysis was conducted on potential, current and lapsed Charter Boat clients incorporating satisfaction levels, total expenditure levels and suggestions for improvements and new experiences.
