About Recreational fishing
Recreational fishers in Australia enjoy some of the world’s best fishing from Barramundi and Sailfish in the north, Snapper and Southern Bluefin Tuna in the south, Yellowtail Kingfish and Marlin in the east, Western Australian Dhufish and King George Whiting in the west. And who can forget the omnipresent bream and flathead, or our inland species such as Murray Cod, Golden Perch and Trout. These and other iconic species are an integral part of Australian culture, and our food supply, keeping us active and healthy, and driving national and global tourism opportunities worth billions of dollars.
Sustainable management of fish populations is vital to ensure that recreational fishers continue to enjoy the positive benefits of aquatic resources, forever. Challenges such as climate change, overfishing, urbanisation and habitat degradation threaten fish populations and continual research and development is required to deliver effective solutions that support fishery sustainability.
FRDC supports and identifies research priorities through partner organisations that include RecFish Australia and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF). However, views and ideas from individuals and groups that seek to address issues of national concern to recreational fishing, are always welcome.
Recreational fishing research
Australia’s recreational fishing sector is large (3-5 million participants), diverse, geographically spread and represent a variety of aspirations and motivators for how they interact with fish populations. The sector has many ecological, social, and economic challenges that require targeted research, development, and extension (RD&E) to identify solutions and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes for fish populations and the recreational fishing community.
One of the ways the FRDC addresses the needs of Australia’s recreational fishing sector is through the national recreational fishing Coordination Program, which is managed by a subcommittee of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation.
The recreational fishing Coordination Program has an important role in identification of research, development and extension priorities for the sector. This helps to ensure that FRDC’s investments are well-targeted, leading to increased benefit to the Australian community. The related projects below are FRDC funded research that improve knowledge and drive recreational fishing outcomes.
Recreational Fishing Research, Development & Extension Strategy 2024-2029
The RecFishing Research Program is a partnership between the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) and the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC), which aims to identify RD&E priorities for recreational fishing over the next 5-10 years and influence where FRDC will place its investments.
The RecFishing Research Strategy shapes investment in RD&E by identifying six Areas of Impact which contribute to achieving a Vision for the recreational fishing sector.
Read the Strategy Snapshot here.
FRDC Management Contacts
Toby Piddocke – FRDC Portfolio Manager (T +61 2 6133 3137; E: toby.piddocke@frdc.com.au)
