Recreational fishing shaping Victoria's future

VRFish, the recreational fishing peak body in Victoria representing 838,000 fishers, is delighted to announce the results of the latest study into participation and economic contribution by Victoria’s recreational fishing community.

The Economic Study of Recreational Fishing in Victoria (the Report), undertaken by Ernst & Young and funded by the Recreational Fishing Licence trust fund, was commissioned and overseen by VRFish and provides updated figures on the number of people that participate in recreational fishing and the economic contribution made by recreational fishers to the State’s economy, along with a range of other statistics.

The level of participation in recreational fishing has been estimated at 838,000 people, up from 721,000 in the previous 2009 study. This represents a slightly positive trend against population growth in Victoria for the same period. This trend is set to become increasingly more positive under the Andrews Government Target One Million policy.

Recreational fishing is also estimated to generate $7.1 billion in economic activity (including $2.6 billion in direct output) and supports 33,967 full-time jobs in Victoria.

According to the Victorian Boater Survey 2014 by Maritime Safety Victoria, fishing was by far the most popular boating purpose in the state with 64 per cent of trips based around wetting a line.

The Report also highlights the significant regional component to the economic contribution of recreational fishing to the Victorian economy, with Port Phillip region contributing $1.3 billion, North West $307 million, North East $224 million, South West $325 million and Gippsland region contributing $381 million in direct output to the State economy.

VRFish Chair, Russell Conway, stated that: "We can be proud that recreational fishing in Victoria continues to grow as a popular, family-friendly activity with a positive trend in participation rates, whilst nationally this rate is declining.

"The number of people and families engaging in fishing and both the economic and social benefits that flow from this can only grow given the Government’s commitment to recreational fishing under Target One Million."

VRFish General Manager, Dallas D’Silva, has expressed his excitement over the results: "The Report is the only one of its kind in Victoria able to provide a benchmark on the level of participation and economic activity generated by recreational fishing."

The Report will provide Government with a baseline to plan and measure growth in the sector. It highlights the importance of strategic planning and investment in improved access, infrastructure and stocking to support a growing and valuable activity and an important contributor to Victoria’s economy, health and social fabric.

A full copy of the Report is available on the VRFish website: www.vrfish.com.au.

Photo Credit: Reel Time Fishing Charters and VR Fish.