There is increasing evidence that global warming has contributed to recent changes in the distribution and abundance of numerous marine species (e.g. Hiddink and Hofstede 2008, Poloczanska et al., 2008). Changes often manifest as poleward extensions of species ranges, resulting in geographically extensive invasions and displacements (Walther et al. 2002). How these will impact fisheries and fisher behaviour is relatively unknown, but will likely require rapid, broad-scale solutions to adapt fishing and management practises.
Recreational fishers, >5 million Australians (DAFF, 2009), are often the largest group impacted by fisheries policy (Li et al. 2010) and therefore instrumental to successful management (Granek et al. 2008). Recreational fishers have become increasingly engaged, from the grass roots to the political level, and will likely be alienated by rapidly applied, poorly consulted measures, delaying positive adaptation. Engaging fishers in the development of adaptation strategies, and policy decisions, is essential to ensuring timely and adequate response to the changes already occurring in the marine biota.
The project addresses priority questions 1, 6, 7 and 8 for the Commercial and Recreational Fishing sector within the NARP by determining sensitivity of target species to environmental change, and by engaging fishers in determining adaptation strategies. A number of research priorities identified by Recfishing Research (2008), particularly those relating to engagement, and understanding and adapting to impacts of climate change, are also addressed.
Spearfishers, as a well organised, discrete group of recreational fishers, are ideal to engage in developing adaptation options. Changes in the distributions of large rocky-reef fishes on Australia’s eastern seaboard will be assessed by examining datasets collected during spearfishing competitions held over the last four decades. A “process model” be developed for engagement of the representative group, it will also be assessed for its suitability for engagement with other recreational fishers.
