National Recreational Fishing Survey 2019-21

MELBOURNE Ross Winstanley

In February this year, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) released the report of the first comprehensive study focused on the social and economic benefits flowing from recreational fishing in Australia. It provides a detailed picture of recreational fishers across Australia; their numbers, where and how often they fish; their motivations and behaviours; and the social and economic benefits they generate across the country.

objective was added (see below) and the study timeline was extended.

The previous ‘national recreational fishing survey,’ conducted in 1999-2000, provided the first description of fishing catch and related fishing effort, and participation in recreational fishing in Australia. As a key benchmark, it found that 19.5% of Australians aged five and older fished during the 12-month study period. It also described the reasons why people decide to go fishing, how much they spend on fishing, and their attitudes and opinions on issues relevant to fishing in their state.

understanding of the nature and extent of social and economic benefits of recreational fishing.”

Moreover, 20 years on, as well as growing substantially, Australia’s population has changed in many ways, socially and culturally, in ways likely to have influenced the nature and extent of participation in recreational fishing, and community attitudes towards fishing. Hence, the need for deeper examination of the social and economic ‘performance’ and contributions from recreational fishing.

Fortunately, as with the estimation of recreational catches and participation, the past 20 years have resulting from stress, injury and personal loss. Other emerging areas of interest include “social licence” – the state of broad community acceptance of recreational fishing – and fishers’ growing and floods – and the COVID-19 epidemic, on fishing activity levels and behaviour. The 2018 pre-pandemic results provided for comparisons with those previously reported for 1999-2000. response to the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Referred to here as the NRFS, the full title implies that the focus is on “fishers” rather than fishing catches and effort.

Estimated number of adult recreational fishers by State and Territory, 2018 (Source: NRFS 2023)

Launched in April 2019 and expected to run for one year, at a cost of $1.22 million, the “National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers, 2018-2021,” aimed to help build a better understanding of the demographics, attitudes and social and economic contribution of Australian recreational fishers.” The project was a collaboration largely funded by the FRDC, overseen by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, and implemented by the University of Canberra.

Two unforeseen events overtook the study: the Black Summer fires and the COVID-19 epidemic. Among the consequences, the survey results for 2018 provided the most recent 12-month COVID-free picture of recreational fishers and fishing, comparable with previous surveys. And, with the opportunity to examine the effects of major disruptions to ‘normal’ fishing activities, an additional

That study established the catch size and species make-up of fish and other aquatic species taken by angling, diving, and other means, by fishers in each state and territory, and nationally. Unlike separate state-based surveys, the national survey approach took account of each state’s residents’ fishing activities conducted interstate, making the results truly national.

Importantly, the 19992000 study developed a “robust methodology” that most states have adopted and used subsequently, to conduct their own surveys, largely focusing on catch, fishing effort and participation. Those studies have shown benefits to the health and wellbeing of fishers, and the benefits from economic activities in those regional areas where fishing occurs. However, most of those outlines of social and economic benefits came from small-scale studies. This left a substantial gap in “the national seen real advances in the development and application of studies on the effects of recreational fishing in areas including physical and mental health, and the treatment and prevention of harm contributions through engagement in fish habitat restoration programs. Conducted between 2018 and 2021, this study was able to examine the impacts of major climatic events – fires

The original objectives were to:

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 costeffective survey method to use to track change in social and economic aspects of recreational fishing in Australia over time.

After the study began, the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic cut across the original plans. They also provided the opportunity to examine how such ‘events’ affect recreational fishing, hence, the fourth objective was added:

4. Identify how fishing activity changed in

The summary and complete report, National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers, 2018-2021, can be found at www.frdc.com.au/ project/2018-161

This article briefly describes the extent and other features of Australians’ participation in recreational fishing. Part two of the story will outline the impacts of major bushfires and COVID19, switching between fishing and other activities, fishing’s economic contribution, health and wellbeing benefits, the ‘social licence’ of fishing, and fishers’ positive role in environmental stewardship. Those interested in the survey methods and data sources, and related technical details should refer to the full study report.

Changes in annual participation

Held in Melbourne this year, the 10th World Recreational Fishing Conference heard that

4.4 million or 21.4% of Australian adults fished during 2018. And in 2020, despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the participation rate was similar at 20.0%, although many fished less frequently. Together, these figures suggest there was little change in the national participation rate since 1999-00 when 19.5% of Australians aged five and above fished (see Fig.1).

Consistent with previous surveys, fishing participation was higher for males than females, and among younger age groups, in particular those of 30 to 44 years. Participation rates were also higher among those living in regional and remote areas than those in major cities.

While at 16.4%, Victoria had the lowest rate, this was well above the 12.7% reported for Victorians of 5+ years in 1999-00. Again, consistent with previous studies, nationwide, most fished fewer than five days per year, while small numbers fished on more than 52 days.

Noting the difference in age groups surveyed, participation rate increases of up to 2.5% were seen in most states since 199900, while the rates were lower in Tasmania and WA. The generally improved rate nationally, bucks the trends seen in several state-run surveys since 2000. For example, despite population growth, a NSW survey estimated that fisher numbers fell between 2000/01 and 2012/13, while, in Tasmania, across three surveys since 2000/01, participation fell by 22%.

Between 1996 and 2014, Queensland’s participation rate fell from 28% to 15%.

The 2023 NRFS report suggests that participation “fell somewhat during the period 2005-06 to 201314”, followed by rises in most states surveyed. It further notes that it is not clear that participation “has risen or fallen over the long term in any of the jurisdictions,” other than the increase shown in Victoria.

Work and household commitments, poor weather and other environmental conditions, and the lack of fishing companions were stated as barriers to fishers getting out as often as they would prefer.

During February, the World Recreational Fishing Conference participants heard that, globally, participation is declining in North America, Europe and other developed countries, despite population growth.

During 2018, our 4.4 million adult fishers fished on an estimated 29 million days, a measure of fishing

“This study defines a current recreational fisher as a person who goes fishing at least once in a 12-month period, with fishing meaning actively seeking to catch aquatic organisms for non-commercial purposes using any method.” NRFS 2023

“While understanding participation is important it should not be assumed that higher rates of participation are always better.” NRFS 2023 effort or activity level. Of them, 68% fished for five days or less, representing 26% of total fishing effort, while the 5% who fished 20 or more days contributed 32% of fishing effort

(See Fig.2 ).

Consistent between the national surveys of 19992000 and 2018, the largest proportion of fishing effort in relation to population size was in Queensland, followed by NSW and SA. Having said that, there are indications that fishing effort has grown more in Victoria, WA and the NT.

While the NRFS reported that 21% of adults fished during 2018, looking further back in time at the numbers of fishers nationally, 37% of those surveyed reported their most recent fishing occurring more than 12 months previously. A subsequent part of the study found that 39% of women and 26% of men –34% of adults overall – had never fished in their lives.

During a ‘typical year,’ 31% of adults reported fishing, which ranked 10th in a list of outdoor activities and sports, flanked by cycling and canoeing/kayaking. Walking, swimming, hiking and gym/exercise classes topped the list. More people go camping and more than twice as many go bushwalking or swimming. The study interpreted this as placing fishing among a group of popular activities conducted by a third of the adult within a typical 2-3 year period.

Men continue to outnumber women in fishing; in 2018, 25% of men fished while 18% of women fished. In comparison, in 2000-01, 28% of males and 12% of females aged five and older fished, suggesting that, over two decades, a real increase occurred in the proportion of women who fish. In support of this, the 2020 results showed that participation was growing among women in the younger age groups, while women aged 65+ years were more likely to be non-fishers compared to younger women and men of any age group.

Overall, adults aged

30-44 years were most likely to fish, with 27% fishing at least once in 2018, followed by those aged 18-29 (22%), 45-64 years (20%), and 65 years and older (16%).

With the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, the proportion of adults of 18-29 years who fished rose slightly, while the proportions of those in older age groups who fished declined, particularly those of 30-44 years. This suggested that the pandemic affected working parents’ fishing opportunities, more than those of younger childless and older, including retired, age groups.

In 2018, 18% of adults living in the major cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra fished at least once, compared to 30% of those living in other cities and regional areas. When degrees of ‘remoteness’ of fishers’ homes are the participation level of regional fishers much more so than city resident fishers. This may be a result of strict travel restrictions, and city fishers’ closer proximity to major rivers and coastal sites.

In COVID-free 2018, adults who cared for children or worked fulltime were more likely to fish than those caring for other folk and those who were retired. But, in 2020 participation declined among those caring for other folk and those working full-time; this probably reflected direct and indirect effects of COVID19 restrictions.

Among the clearest distinctions, 38% of people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders fished in 2018, compared to 21% of other adults. Travel restrictions may account for that ‘gap’ closing in 2020.

More adults born in Australia fished in 2018 compared to those born overseas.

The study looked in some detail at the differences in the levels of keenness or avidity among fishers from different situations and backgrounds. Briefly, the results show that those who fish more of those under 30 years old were found to fish compared to older fishers, but the older ones fish more days per year.

Results from the pandemic period highlighted that those with “caring duties” for children or others, fished on fewer days than others with less such duties.

Overall, those who fish more often rate the importance of fishing to their lives more highly than others. However, the relationship between importance and fishing frequency depends on fishers’ age, gender, address, and “life circumstances.” For example, despite fishing far less often, on average, Victorians value fishing slightly higher than many Queensland and NSW fishers.

And overall, despite fishing fewer days on average, urban fishers tend to rate fishing as more important than regional fishers. Further, fishers of 30-44 years rate fishing’s importance more highly, than other age groups, despite fishing less often than those aged 45+ years, particularly those aged 65+ years.

Retired fishers fish more often but rate fishing as less important to their males aged over 65 years were more likely to have fished less.

Workloads, poor weather, home commitments and lack of fishing companions were among the highest factors contributing to reduced fishing levels. Just 2% reported switching to another activity or sport, indicating that, for most, fishing is a lifetime pursuit, whatever might get in the way from time to time.

The most common negative factors reported by fishers included poor weather conditions, prevalence of undersized fish, difficulty catching target species or “anything,” overcrowding at fishing spots, and drought conditions in much of Australia at the time.

Top of the list of factors likely to cause fishers to fish less often was overcrowding of fishing areas, identified by 31% of fishers. Of that group, 51% had fished less after experiencing overcrowding. The costs of fishing, challenges at boat ramps and in obtaining advice resulted in many fishing less than they would have preferred.

Of those who had never fished, 73% had zero interest in fishing, while 7% reported having a high level of interest. Among considered, the contrast is even more marked. With more than two-thirds of Australians living in the major cities, emphasising this contrast, in 2018, 18% of adults in those cities fished, compared to 43% of adults in remote parts of Australia. Further, those living in regional and remote areas were more likely to have fished in recent years, while more adults living in large cities reported never having fished.

However, COVID-19 seems to have affected often are:

• regional people compared to major city dwellers;

• men compared to women;

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders compared to other fishers;

• those who are, or have been married, compared to those who have never married;

• those born in Australia or in English speaking counties compared to those born in non-English speaking countries;

• retired fishers compared to those who work.

A higher proportion

Most fishers just can’t get out fishing as often as they would like. In 201819, 62% fished less than they wanted to. Even among those who said they fished more in the past 12 months than in the previous year, 58% still fished less than they wanted to.

Financially well-off males aged under 30 years were more likely to have fished more than the previous year, while those who had not fished for at least five years, 28% now had zero interest while 22% retained a high level of interest. Among non-fishers, gender and age had a large bearing, with women and older people having the least interest in fishing.

In conclusion, about the rate of participation in fishing, the survey suggests that there was no overall decline between 1999-00 and 2018. Participation by women has increased while participation by men has declined slightly.