147 results

National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2019

Project number: 2018-161
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $1,233,986.95
Principal Investigator: Andy (Anthony) Moore
Organisation: University of Canberra
Project start/end date: 3 Mar 2019 - 19 Jun 2021
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Currently there is a lack of national scale, consistent and robust data on the motivations and behaviours of recreational fishers, and lack of robust data on the social and economic contribution of recreational fishing. Where many commercial fisheries have regular collection and estimation process for economic data, this is not the case for recreational fishing in most of Australia. This lack of data also includes behaviour and motivations and how they are changing. These data are useful for informing discussions on resource allocation and in understanding and managing recreational fisheries more generally. If these data are to be used to inform governments and the general public, there is a need to make sure it is collected in a robust way that is representative of the Australian population. Large scale representative data sets are often expensive to acquire and as a result do not get undertaken regularly. One off surveys only provide useful data for any particular point in time, but understanding trends can often be more useful. This study aims to implement and test methodologies to provide a robust and representative sample, while trying to reduce costs to allow for more regular data gathering. To do this requires addressing another need: that of testing new survey methodologies for collecting data from recreational fishers that enables assessment of social and economic contribution. Recreational fishing surveys traditionally use probability based phone or mail surveys, however both methods are experiencing rapid decline in response rates and representativeness. It is expected that going into the future, online surveys that use a range of appropriate recruitment methods will be the most common survey method. There is a need to invest in establishing robust approaches to using these methods, and in understanding how their findings differ to those of traditional probability based surveys.

Objectives

1. Assess social and economic contribution of recreational fishing using multiple methods, including direct and flow-on economic benefits, and market and non-market benefits
2. Identify which approaches to recruiting survey participants and completing surveys produce the most representative and robust results
3. Recommend most appropriate and cost effective survey method to use to track change social and economic aspects of recreational fishing in Australia over time

Final report

Authors: Moore A Schirmer J Magnusson A Keller K Hinten G Galeano D Woodhams J Wright D Maloney L. Dix A.
Final Report • 2023-02-21 • 5.80 MB
2018-161-NRFS_main report_FINAL_19Feb2023.pdf

Summary

The NRFS involved three stages of data collection. An overview of the three stages of data collection and the purpose of each, and a guide summarising which chapters draw on data from each stage of data collection, are provided in the next section. Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 provide a detailed description of the methods used to collect and process data in Stages 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These sections explain, for each stage:
  • The purpose/objectives of data collection
  • Data collection methods, including design of survey instruments and survey recruitment materials, survey sample recruitment methods and sample achieved
  • Data processing methods, including data coding and cleaning, and weighting methods.

Project products

Report • 2023-06-05 • 481.14 KB
2018-161-FRDC-report-Bait-and-Berley-FINAL.pdf

Summary

The outbreak of white spot disease, caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) (Whispovirus sp.), in South-East Queensland (Qld) in 2016–17, the recognition of new and emerging diseases, and advances in scientific knowledge since the release of the Generic import risk analysis report for prawns and prawn products 2009 (the Prawn IRA; Biosecurity Australia 2009) highlighted the need to review the biosecurity risks of prawns imported into Australia (the prawn review).

 

The Prawn IRA 2009 considered that the regular introduction of imported prawns, intended for human consumption, into the aquatic environment, through use as bait or berley presented a significant pathway for exposure of Australian crustaceans to imported prawns potentially infected with hazards. Surveys conducted in 2002 and 2007 investigating the use of prawns, intended for human consumption, as bait or berley provided significant data inputs for the Prawn IRA 2009. There had not been national surveys conducted since that time. Therefore, it was identified that the prawn review needed current data on the use of prawns as bait or berley to ensure the conclusions were based on current information. Questions to characterise the extent of the use of prawns purchased from seafood retailers as bait and berley by recreational fishers in Australia were nested within the 2019-20 National Recreational Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers (Moore et al. 2023).

 

Results from this survey indicate that prawns were the most popular bait used by recreational fishers over the survey period, followed by various kinds of saltwater fish and cephalopods (octopus/squid/cuttlefish). While prawns were the most popular bait type nationally, there were differences at the jurisdictional level, with recreational fishers in Western Australian, Tasmania and the Northern Territory most commonly using cephalopods, while South Australian fishers most commonly used ‘other shellfish’.

 

Of the respondents who reported using prawns as bait and/or berley, 85% indicated that they had bought prawns from a bait supplier, while 20% indicated that they had bought prawns from a seafood retailer (some respondents reported purchasing prawns from both sources). Uncooked whole prawns were the most common prawn type purchased from a seafood retailer, with most respondents indicating that they had purchased a total of less than 1 kg over the previous 12 months. Most fishers reported using Australian origin prawns, but some reported using imported prawns or that they were unsure of the origin of the prawns they were using as bait.

 

To test whether recreational fishers are aware of the risks of using imported prawns intended for human consumption as bait, the survey also asked recreational fishers if they had seen advice regarding the use of imported seafood prawns as bait and berley. Almost half of all respondents said that they had seen advice regarding the use of imported seafood prawns as bait and berley, with the highest levels of awareness in Queensland and the lowest in Victoria.

National Recreational Fishing Conference bursary 2019

Project number: 2019-146
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $31,796.17
Principal Investigator: Owen Li
Organisation: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Project start/end date: 20 Oct 2019 - 19 Dec 2019
Contact:
FRDC

Need

This bursary will deliver against one of Recreational Fishing Research’s RD&E priorities this year: “Upskilling current and emerging leaders within the recreational fishing community”. The bursary will also deliver against the FRDC nominated RD&E priority of “People development”. The National Conference is an excellent opportunity to bring young leaders together to learn about and discuss topical issues and the applications of citizen science to the future of recreational fishing.

Engagements with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, and representatives from several state peak bodies have indicated there is a real need to create more learning and development opportunities for current and emerging leaders in the community. This proposal will outline how state peak bodies and the recreational fishing community will be engaged with the aim of sending 2 representatives from each state to the National Conference. This project will give bursary recipients a forum to share their goals and visions for recreational fishing with other leaders before the conference, mentorship during the conference itself, and a platform to share their learning and intentions after the conference.

Objectives

1. Proactively work with the state peak bodies and recreational fishing community to identify current and emerging leaders worthy of receiving the bursary
2. Provide a platform for bursary recipients to share experiences, vision, and learnings
3. Provide bursary recipients opportunities to form collaborative relationships with leaders from other states

Final report

Author: Recfishing Research
Final Report

Summary

Introduction
Over the 10th and 11th of December 2019, the Australian Recreational Fishing Federation held their biannual National recreational Fishing Conference in Hobart, Tasmania. The theme of this conference was “Our Fishing. Our Research. Our Recreational Future”.

In response to the ARFF’s request, the FRDC commissioned a bursary program for 16 individuals from around the country (2 from NT, QLD, TAS, VIC and WA, 3 from NSW, 1 from SA, and 2 Indigenous representatives). 5 leaders from the Victorian Fishing Authority’s Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) network were also invited to join activities organised for the bursary winner, and 2 members of Recfish West, whose expenses were paid by Recfish West were also allowed to join the activities.

Program participants attended a half-day introductory workshop the day before the conference, had full access to all conference activities for the 10th -11th of December including the gala dinner, and attended a half-day consolidation workshop on the 12th when feedback was gathered before returning home.

Bursary recipients
Upon application, the bursary winners provided answers to the following:
  • Why do you wish to attend this specific conference?
  • What do you intend to do for the recreational fishing community upon your return from the conference?
The following are the bursary recipients and their affiliations:
  • Howard Jones (TAS) - Executive member of Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
  • Gary France (TAS) - Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
  • Mitchell McMaster (VIC) - Geelong and Bellarine Facilitator for Fishcare.
  • Tom Clayson (VIC) - Member of Fishcare.
  • Laura Schroder (SA) - Marine Scientist
  • Melita McKinnon (NT) - Amateur Fishermen’s Association Northern Territory, Darwin Game Fishing Club
  • Kurt Davis (QLD) - Marine Scientist
  • Robbie Porter (QLD) - Central Moreton Bay Chapter for OzFish Unlimited
  • Adam Martin (NSW) - Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation
  • Eric Burns (NSW) - Jindabyne Branch of the Monaro Acclimatization Society
  • David Harris (NSW) - Team leader Inland Waterways OsFish Unlimited
  • Alanna Hubbard (WA) - Recfishwests
  • Steph Watts (WA) - Recfishwest, 
Communities
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-189
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

NCCP: Socio-economic impact assessment and stakeholder engagement

The present study, undertaken by University of Canberra, was developed to investigate the potential to engender support for the recommendations included in the NCCP byassessing potential impacts of carp control on different groups, and ensuring key stakeholders are able to access, understand and...
ORGANISATION:
University of Canberra

National Recreational Fishing Forum Series (2025-2029)

Project number: 2024-048
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $300,000.00
Principal Investigator: Cassie Price
Organisation: Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF)
Project start/end date: 27 Mar 2025 - 31 Aug 2029
Contact:
FRDC

Need

ARFF proposes to run a 1-day National Recreational Fishing Forum on Tuesday 22nd July 2025. With the set up and additional meetings around recreational fishing to be held on Wed 23rd, the AFTA Trade Show held on Thurs 24th, Fri 25th and Saturday 26th. Allowing participants to travel to the event on Monday 21st and home on Sunday 27th (if not prior). Followed by Annual events in the two years following.

Target Audience/s – Leaders in recreational fishing sector, future leaders of recreational fishing sector, key leaders of other fishing sectors (commercial wild and indigenous), decision makers in governments/departments relevant to recreational fishing. We expect between 150-300 participants.

ARFF will engage a conference organising agency (preferred proposal attached) on the Gold Coast, and set up a forum organising committee from their broader membership. Together they will;
- Determine the logistics of the location and set up, and alignment with AFTA events
- Set up online information and registration
- Promote broadly to recreational fishing groups, peak bodies and recreational fishers
- Determine a program, themes/topics and call for speakers
- Run the event smoothly including all pre event and post event logistics

FRDC will have the opportunity to receive,
- A place on the organising committee
- A mutually agreed number of complimentary registrations
- Any signage provided by FRDC for the forum on stage or at strategic meeting places in the forum break-out/gathering areas
- Logo on all materials, both hard copy and digital including conference website
- Ability to promote the event

Industry

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation 30th Anniversary Sponsorship - Silver Package

Project number: 2022-026
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $5,000.00
Principal Investigator: Tristan Richmond
Organisation: Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF)
Project start/end date: 30 Jul 2022 - 26 Oct 2022
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Silver Sponsorship Package Benefits:
- Acknowledgement in the promotion of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration.
- Opportunities to engage with the ARLF broader network through events, activities, media and communications.
- Your organisation’s logo and link on the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation website, included in relevant social media posts and the ARLF newsletter.
- Onsite signage and recognition (where applicable).
- The right for you to use the ARLF 30th Anniversary brand and logo on relevant promotional material.
- The right to use “Silver Partner of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration”, your organisation referred as such in all relevant collateral and social media content and use of the ARLF 30th Anniversary brand and logo on promotional printed and digital material.
- Six (6) tickets to the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner - 26 October 2022

Objectives

1. Recognise and celebrate leadership capability and capacity in fishing and aquaculture
People
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