Recreational fisheries have no reliable and acceptable methodology or mechanisms to measure their economic value (direct and indirect) to Australians.
More broadly, the sector has no clear understanding of end-user requirements for its economic data, and the most appropriate means of obtaining the required data.
The impacts of this problem are direct, substantial, local and national. Measurement enables monitoring of performance, which enables management of the resource to consistently achieve best outcomes. Lack of measurement means the sector cannot:
1. quantify the operational or economic size of the national fishery on a reliable and repeatable basis, and therefore can not measure or manage economic performance changes over time
2. demonstrate with acceptable accuracy the economic contribution to regional and national economies, at any time,
3. justify and motivate investment by communities, investors and agencies in recreational fishing,
4. clearly and unambiguously demonstrate that it is a relevant sector or contributor to regional and national economies.

The RFAC's 2011 Strategy identifies at least 2 goals (as follows) that demand some type of economic measure to demontrate that they have been achieved.
- Recreational fishing is acknowledged as an important activity that contributes to the health and well-being of Australian society.
- Recreational fishers have access to a fair and reasonable share of Australia’s fish resources.