jaybee
06-08-2003, 04:04 PM
MORE than 136 million creatures are taken in Australian waters by recreational anglers each year, a new national survey says.
The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, released by federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald yesterday, said the figure represented some 30,000 tonnes of seafood.MORE than 136 million creatures are taken in Australian waters by recreational anglers each year, a new national survey says.
The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, released by federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald yesterday, said the figure represented some 30,000 tonnes of seafood. Senator Macdonald said recreational angers used a fleet of more than half a million boats for their hobby, which was worth $1.8 billion a year to the Australian economy and proving a big hit with youngsters.
He said participation rates were highest in children aged between five and 14, with 33 per cent of boys and 23 per cent of girls in that bracket dropping a line with their families. About 60 million of the creatures were released.
Sunfish NQ chairman Brian Pickup confirmed 8500 boats were owned by anglers in the twin cities.
He said there were well over 230,000 recreational fishers along the Great Barrier Reef, many of whom were just occasional anglers.Mr Pickup said the annual turnover of boating industry organisations from Gladstone north was around $219 million, or $4.4 million per outlet.
The survey said about one in five Australians were classed as recreational anglers, having wet a line at least once in the past 12 months.
The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, released by federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald yesterday, said the figure represented some 30,000 tonnes of seafood.MORE than 136 million creatures are taken in Australian waters by recreational anglers each year, a new national survey says.
The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, released by federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald yesterday, said the figure represented some 30,000 tonnes of seafood. Senator Macdonald said recreational angers used a fleet of more than half a million boats for their hobby, which was worth $1.8 billion a year to the Australian economy and proving a big hit with youngsters.
He said participation rates were highest in children aged between five and 14, with 33 per cent of boys and 23 per cent of girls in that bracket dropping a line with their families. About 60 million of the creatures were released.
Sunfish NQ chairman Brian Pickup confirmed 8500 boats were owned by anglers in the twin cities.
He said there were well over 230,000 recreational fishers along the Great Barrier Reef, many of whom were just occasional anglers.Mr Pickup said the annual turnover of boating industry organisations from Gladstone north was around $219 million, or $4.4 million per outlet.
The survey said about one in five Australians were classed as recreational anglers, having wet a line at least once in the past 12 months.