Angling for conservation
New study shows recreational fishers are playing an increasingly important role in caring for our fish stocks and waterwaysA recently completed project funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has shown that Australia’s recreational fishing community plays an increasingly important role in caring for our fish stocks, and the rivers, estuaries and oceans that they live in.
Project leader, Matt Barwick said: “The purpose of the project was to really get a handle on how active Australia’s recreational fishing community is in caring for our fisheries and the habitats and ecosystems they depend on. This is the first time anyone has tried to develop an understanding of the role that recreational fishers play in looking after Australia’s aquatic resources, and the results have been really interesting”.
The study, entitled "Angling for Conservation" found that recreational fishers contribute significantly towards conservation and sustainability-focussed initiatives around Australia, through providing vital investment, and sometimes also hands-on delivery of projects around Australia. The recreational fishing community has invested an impressive $33.1 million of their own money in projects with a focus on conservation or sustainability around Australia.
Habitat improvement projects were found to be most commonly type of project funded by recreational fishers with 18 per cent involving revegetation of river banks and foreshores, 17 per cent involving improvement of fish passage, and 14 per cent involving bank stabilisation works to reduce erosion.
In terms of total investment, recreational fishers spent most of their money on research to ensure fisheries remained sustainable ($9.47m). However, there was also significant investment in projects to help deliver educative messages to recreational fishers and the broader community ($7.9m), monitor aquatic ecosystems (in particular fish communities) ($6.3m), and improve fish passage through building fishways and removing old barriers ($5.7m).
The study has shown that Australia’s recreational fishers aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty either, having led on-ground delivery of approximately $1.3 million in projects throughout Australia.
According to Matt, it’s likely that the figures reported dramatically underestimate the level of investment made by recreational fishers, as Angling for Conservation has only captured financial investment, and the level of in-kind contribution made by recreational fishers through volunteering their time is still unknown, but would significantly exceed the level of financial investment.
The value of recreational fishing licensing schemes was reinforced through the findings of this project, with the majority of activities found to occur within jurisdictions with licensing programs, and particularly through initiatives such as New South Wales' Habitat Action Grants Program, which is funded through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.
Says Matt: "Angling for Conservation is designed to be a growing, evolving account of angler involvement in conservation and sustainability-focused projects. We would love people to continue to tell us about new projects so that this resource can continue to grow over time to reflect increasing activity amongst the recreational fishing community."
For more information or a copy of the full report go to: http://anglingforconservation.org
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