jaybee
28-09-2003, 03:29 AM
Sunfish Fraser Coast Media Release
The creel survey recently conducted by Sunfish Fraser Coast and released on Friday 26th by the Minister for Primary Industries and rural Communities, the Hon. Henry Palaszczuk MP, has caught a few people by surprise.
The data in the survey has dispelled a few myths that had been bandied about for many years, according to Dr Randal McLellan, Chairman of Sunfish Fraser Coast.
‘One of the most common criticisms of recreational fishers is that they take a lot of fish. While this survey was not designed to calculate total catch, it did show that the average number of fish taken by fishers is very small. In fact it was less than one fish kept per person per trip. It also showed that recreational anglers release nearly 3 fish for every fish kept.’ Dr McLellan said.
The survey has been designed to provide a snapshot of recreational fishers’ catches in the Hervey Bay region between January and May 2003. It also provided information on fishers’ demographics, expenditure and their opinions on various fisheries issues including fisheries management and facilities.
Other important data trapped by the survey included the high number of visitors who come here to fish. ‘Over one third of all anglers were from outside the region while nearly half those fishing on the pier were not resident in the region. This shows how important recreational fishing is to the tourist industry in Hervey Bay, not just to the locals.’ Dr McLellan said.
Sunfish has been campaigning to have a large area in southern Hervey Bay declared a Recreational Only Fishing Area [ROFA]. There was overwhelming support for this proposal by the participants in the survey with over 92% believing a ROFA would improve their catches as well as a significant percentage of visitors saying they would come more often and stay longer if a ROFA was established in Hervey Bay. Over 88% said they would like to see fish cleaning facilities established in the area, which is another project that Sunfish Fraser Coast is hoping to achieve in the near future.
This survey builds on the previous survey done on spending habits of recreational fishers which showed that recreational fishers in the region owned over $100,000,000 worth of capital equipment for fishing, visiting recreational fishers spent over $100,000,000 on accommodation in the region each year, and between them they spend over $38,000,000 each year to actually go fishing. ‘This survey only reinforces our case to have a significant Recreational Only Fishing Area declared here to enhance what is already a wonderful place to live, or just to visit.’ Dr McLellan concluded.
For further information contact Dr Randal McLellan. Ph 0419779586
The creel survey recently conducted by Sunfish Fraser Coast and released on Friday 26th by the Minister for Primary Industries and rural Communities, the Hon. Henry Palaszczuk MP, has caught a few people by surprise.
The data in the survey has dispelled a few myths that had been bandied about for many years, according to Dr Randal McLellan, Chairman of Sunfish Fraser Coast.
‘One of the most common criticisms of recreational fishers is that they take a lot of fish. While this survey was not designed to calculate total catch, it did show that the average number of fish taken by fishers is very small. In fact it was less than one fish kept per person per trip. It also showed that recreational anglers release nearly 3 fish for every fish kept.’ Dr McLellan said.
The survey has been designed to provide a snapshot of recreational fishers’ catches in the Hervey Bay region between January and May 2003. It also provided information on fishers’ demographics, expenditure and their opinions on various fisheries issues including fisheries management and facilities.
Other important data trapped by the survey included the high number of visitors who come here to fish. ‘Over one third of all anglers were from outside the region while nearly half those fishing on the pier were not resident in the region. This shows how important recreational fishing is to the tourist industry in Hervey Bay, not just to the locals.’ Dr McLellan said.
Sunfish has been campaigning to have a large area in southern Hervey Bay declared a Recreational Only Fishing Area [ROFA]. There was overwhelming support for this proposal by the participants in the survey with over 92% believing a ROFA would improve their catches as well as a significant percentage of visitors saying they would come more often and stay longer if a ROFA was established in Hervey Bay. Over 88% said they would like to see fish cleaning facilities established in the area, which is another project that Sunfish Fraser Coast is hoping to achieve in the near future.
This survey builds on the previous survey done on spending habits of recreational fishers which showed that recreational fishers in the region owned over $100,000,000 worth of capital equipment for fishing, visiting recreational fishers spent over $100,000,000 on accommodation in the region each year, and between them they spend over $38,000,000 each year to actually go fishing. ‘This survey only reinforces our case to have a significant Recreational Only Fishing Area declared here to enhance what is already a wonderful place to live, or just to visit.’ Dr McLellan concluded.
For further information contact Dr Randal McLellan. Ph 0419779586