Recreational fishers add $11 billion to Australian economy, survey shows

The three-year National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers study, led by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, the University of Canberra and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, shows amateur anglers have boosted the economy to the tune of an eye-watering $11 billion and created an industry supporting 100,000 jobs.

Combined, the study – which uses a similar study conducted in 2000 as its baseline – estimates around 4.2 million Australians, up from an estimated 3.4 million in 2000, spend 28 million days a year, or an average of almost a week each, chasing fish. 

However, the proportion of the population who go fishing has not changed, indicating the recreational activity has not grown in popularity as time has passed.

Of note, the study found that while most fishers spent less than five days a year in their pursuit, those at the other extreme spent more than 52 days a year chasing fish.

But fishers are also happier people.

“Recreational fishers were found to have, on average, higher levels of wellbeing than non-fishers, and those who fish more often have higher wellbeing,” ABARES Executive Director Jared Greenville said.

“Recreational fishing appeared to support positive social connections, nature connection, relaxation and can help achieve recommended levels of physical activity,” Dr Greenville said.

“The survey results also showed that most Australians have a positive outlook on recreational fishing, with 79 per cent of Australian adults considering recreational fishing to be an acceptable activity.

“Recreational fishers also contribute to environmental stewardship by picking up rubbish when out fishing, while some participate in habitat restoration activities or donate to organisations trying to improve aquatic health.”

According to the survey, three out of every four recreational anglers will pick up rubbish in the area they fish.

The survey reveals 44 per cent of fishers chased both fresh and saltwater fish, while 24 per cent stuck to estuaries and saltwater. Saltwater-only fishers represented 13 per cent of fishers, while freshwater-only specialists only represented 3.4 per cent of people surveyed.

Of the $11 billion estimated spend on recreational fishing, most of it was spent in cities compared with regional areas. 

The most common activity associated with fishing was camping, followed by offroad driving and kayaking. Unusually, the seventh-most popular activity associated with fishing was clothes shopping.

The survey also accounted for the 2019-2020 bushfires that swept NSW and Victoria, and the COVID-19 pandemic that saw fishing banned in Victoria for a large part of 2020.