Survey of Recreational Fishing in New South Wales and the ACT

FISHERIES FINAL REPORT SERIES | NO. 149

Survey of Recreational Fishing in New South

Wales and the ACT, 2013/14

L. D. West, K. E. Stark, J. J. Murphy, J. M. Lyle and F. A. Ochwada-Doyle

Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries

Survey of Recreational Fishing in New South Wales and the ACT, 2013/14

NSW DPI – Fisheries Final Report Series No. 149

First published December 2015

ISSN 2204-8669*

More information

Mr. Jeff Murphy, Fisheries NSW, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 5106, Wollongong NSW 2520

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by the New South Wales (NSW) Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust and NSW

Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

Cover image: Glenn Biclar, Graham Grocott, Brian James, Duy Khang Ngo, Hanz Kilian, James Milicevic, Warren

Robinson, Michael Sephton and Glen Towler.

and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (March 2016). However,

because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency

of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser.

*Before July 2004, this report series was published by NSW Fisheries as the ‘NSW Fisheries Final Report Series’ with ISSN 1440-3544. Then, following

the formation of the NSW Department of Primary Industries it was published as the ‘NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries Final Report

Series’ with ISSN 1449-9967. It was then published by Industry & Investment NSW as the ‘Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Final Report Series’

with ISSN 1837-2112. It is now published as the ‘NSW Trade and Investment – Fisheries Final Report Series’ with ISSN 2204-8669.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

i NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Contents

Contents i

List of tables v

List of figures vi

Acknowledgments xi

Non-technical summary xiii

Introduction 1

Background 1

Developments since the NRFS 2

Developments in other Jurisdictions 2

Recent Development Work by Fisheries NSW 2

Important Notes to the Reader 3

Report Structure Acknowledgment 5

Survey Methods and Analysis 6

Survey Scope 6

Survey Methods 6

Survey Overview 6

Screening Survey 7

Diary Survey 8

Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey 9

Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey 9

Regions 9

Sampling Strata 9

Fishing Zones 11

Fishing Effort 12

Fishing Methods 12

Catch 13

Data Expansion and Analysis 13

Data Expansion 13

Statistical Uncertainty 14

Sample and Response Profiles 15

Screening Survey 15

Diary Survey 16

Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey 17

Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey 17

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

ii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fisher Characteristics 19

Fishing Participation 19

Age and Gender 20

Fishing Effort 21

Overview 21

Water Body 23

Fishing Platform 23

Fishing Method 25

Fishing Zones 25

Seasonality of Fishing Activity 26

Catch 28

Total Catch, Harvest and Release 28

Reasons for Release 31

Targeted Fishing 33

Harvest Weights 33

Catch by Water Body 35

Catch by Method 37

Line Fishing 38

Catch by Fishing Platform 39

Key Species 40

Bream 41

Dusky Flathead 42

Sand Flathead 43

Leatherjacket 44

Mulloway 45

Australian Salmon 46

Silver Trevally 47

Snapper 48

Tailor 49

Sand Whiting 50

Yellowtail Kingfish 51

Blue Mackerel 52

Mullet 53

Yellowtail Scad 54

Australian Bass 55

European Carp 56

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

iii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Golden Perch 57

Murray Cod 58

Redfin Perch 59

Trout 60

Blue Swimmer Crab 61

Mud Crab 62

Yabby (freshwater) 63

Regional Fisheries 64

North Coast Fishing Zone 65

Mid North Coast Fishing Zone 66

Hunter Fishing Zone 67

Sydney Fishing Zone 68

Mid South Coast Fishing Zone 69

South Coast Fishing Zone 70

Murray/South West Fishing Zone 71

Darling/North West Fishing Zone 72

The ACT Fishing Zone 73

Boat Ownership and Vessel Characteristics 74

Household Boat Ownership – June 2013 74

Boats used for Recreational Fishing – June 2013 to May 2014 75

Recreational Fishing Boat Profiles 76

Size of Boats 76

Usage Levels for Recreational Fishing 76

Main Propulsion 77

Boat Storage and Access 78

Electronic Fishing Aids 78

Market Value of Fishing Boats 79

Other Results: Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey 80

Recreational Fishing Motivations 80

Satisfaction with Fishing 81

Other Attitudinal Information 82

Fishing Club Membership and Final Survey Questions 83

Comparison of Key Survey Results – 2000/01 and 2013/14 84

Comparability of Results 84

Fisher Characteristics 84

Participation – Overall and Regionally 84

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

iv NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Participation by Age and Gender 86

Fishing Effort 88

Catch 91

Broad Catch Rates – Line Fishing 95

Definitions and Methods 95

Broad Catch Rates 95

Boats 97

Club Membership and Attitudinal Results 99

References 101

Appendices 104

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

v NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

List of tables

Table 1 NSW/ACT private dwelling population (number of households) as at June 2013, sample

size and sample loss/response profiles for the Screening Survey, by stratum. ..................... 15

Table 2 Household response profiles for the Diary Survey, by stratum............................................... 16

Table 3 Sample size (households) and sample loss/response profiles for the non-intending

fisher follow-up survey, by stratum. ........................................................................................ 17

Table 4 Estimated number of persons and days fished by NSW/ACT residents aged five years

and older who fished in freshwater or saltwater in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14.

SE is standard error. ............................................................................................................... 21

Table 5 Annual catch (total, kept and released numbers) and proportion released of key species

in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by residents aged five years and older. SE is

standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics

indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species. .................................... 30

Table 6 Comparative summary of the proportion of the total catch of key species in NSW/ACT

waters during 2013/14 that was released by residents aged five years and older. ................ 31

Table 7 Reasons for release - proportions (%) of total numbers of key species released in NSW/

ACT waters during 2013/14, by residents aged five years and older. Values in bold

indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households

recorded catches of the species. ............................................................................................ 32

Table 8 Comparative summary of the proportion of the recreational catch (kept and released) of

key species that was taken by targeted effort in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by

residents aged five years and older. ....................................................................................... 33

Table 9 Harvest of key species in NSW waters by NSW/ACT residents, aged five years and

older - indicative estimates of the total weight (tonnes), compared with estimates for the

commercial fisheries sector during 2013/14. .......................................................................... 35

Table 10 Annual recreational catch (kept and released numbers) of key fish species in NSW/ACT

waters by line fishing mode during 2013/14 and proportions taken by bait or lure/fly, by

residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded

catches of the species............................................................................................................. 38

Table 11 Comparative summary of the proportion of the total recreational catch (kept and

released) of key species taken in NSW/ACT waters by boat-based fishing during

2013/ 14, by residents aged five years and older. .................................................................. 39

Table 12 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and proportion of all usage for

recreational fishing in 2013/14, i.e. boats owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership. SE is

standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics

indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership................................................. 77

Table 13 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and main propulsion method - i.e.

boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership. ...................... 77

Table 14 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and main storage/access mode -

i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership. ...................... 78

Table 15 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and echo sounder/fish finder

availability, i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT

resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting

boat ownership. ....................................................................................................................... 78

Table 16 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and global positioning system

(GPS) availability, i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by

NSW/ACT resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households

reporting boat ownership......................................................................................................... 79

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

vi NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 17 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and market value (total and

attributed to fishing), i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by

NSW/ACT resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households

reporting boat ownership......................................................................................................... 79

Table 18 Relative importance of motivational factors for recreational fishing - as reported by the

main/key fisher aged 15 years or more in resident households with recreational fishing

activity in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 fishing households

responded. .............................................................................................................................. 81

Table 19 Relative importance of motivational factors for recreational fishing - by fishers aged 15

years and over in resident households with recreational fishing activity in NSW/ACT

waters - comparison of results from 2001 and 2014. ............................................................ 100

List of figures

Figure 1 Survey components diagram - Survey of Recreational Fishing in NSW/ACT, 2013/14 ........... 7

Figure 2 Map of NSW and the ACT, showing ABS-based, residential survey strata used for

sample stratification and population benchmarks. .................................................................. 10

Figure 3 Map of NSW and the ACT showing fishing zones used for reporting fishing activities. ......... 12

Figure 4 Estimated number (A) and proportion (B) of the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT in the 12 months prior to

June 2013 by stratum. Error bars represent one standard error and the dotted line

represents the participation rate for NSW/ACT as a whole. ................................................... 19

Figure 5 Estimated number (A) and proportion (B) of the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT in the 12 months prior to

June 2013 by age group and gender. Error bars represent one standard error. ................... 20

Figure 6 Distribution of fishing effort by annual days fished for the NSW/ACT resident population

aged five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. ..... 22

Figure 7 Relationship between the number of fishers and their cumulative fishing effort (days

fished) for NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older who fished recreationally in

NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Dotted lines indicate that 80% of the fishers accounted

for just over 40% of the total days fished. ............................................................................... 22

Figure 8 Fishing effort (fisher days) by water body type for the NSW/ACT resident population aged

five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error

bars represent one standard error. ......................................................................................... 23

Figure 9 Fishing effort (fisher days) by water body type and fishing platform for the NSW/ACT

resident population aged five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the

ACT during 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error. .............................................. 24

Figure 10 Shore-based fishing effort (fisher days) by water body and shore type (natural or man-

made) for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five years and older who fished

recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard

error. ........................................................................................................................................ 24

Figure 11 Fishing effort (fisher days) by fishing method for the NSW/ACT resident population aged

five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error

bars represent one standard error. ......................................................................................... 25

Figure 12 Fishing effort (fisher days) by fishing zone for the NSW/ACT resident population aged

five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14.

Standard errors (SEs) are provided in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 26

Figure 13 Fishing effort (fisher days) by season for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error. ................................................................................................. 26

Figure 14 Fishing effort (fisher days) by month for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error. ................................................................................................. 27

Figure 15 Catch estimates (kept and released) of key species by residents aged five years and

older in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by water body. Error bars represent one

standard error. ......................................................................................................................... 36

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

vii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 16 Catch estimates (kept and released) of key species by residents aged five years and

older in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by fishing method. Error bars represent one

standard error. ......................................................................................................................... 37

Figure 17 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for bream in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished;

E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 41

Figure 18 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Dusky Flathead in NSW during 2013/14

– total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%)

by fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 42

Figure 19 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Sand Flathead in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore- based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 43

Figure 20 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for leatherjacket in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; ; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 44

Figure 21 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Mulloway in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 45

Figure 22 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Australian Salmon in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 46

Figure 23 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Silver Trevally in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 47

Figure 24 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Snapper in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 48

Figure 25 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Tailor in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 49

Figure 26 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Sand Whiting in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 50

Figure 27 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Yellowtail Kingfish in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 51

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

viii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 28 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Blue Mackerel in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 52

Figure 29 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for mullet in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 53

Figure 30 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Yellowtail Scad in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 54

Figure 31 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Australian Bass in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 55

Figure 32 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for European Carp in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 56

Figure 33 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Golden Perch in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 57

Figure 34 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Murray Cod in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 58

Figure 35 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Redfin Perch in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; ; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 59

Figure 36 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for trout in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. .............................................................. 60

Figure 37 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Blue Swimmer Crab in NSW during 2013/14

– total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%)

by fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 61

Figure 38 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Mud Crab in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 62

Figure 39 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for freshwater yabbies in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13. ...................................................... 63

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

ix NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 40 Characteristics of the North Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity

by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 65

Figure 41 Characteristics of the Mid North Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days)

by residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 66

Figure 42 Characteristics of the Hunter recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 67

Figure 43 Characteristics of the Sydney recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 68

Figure 44 Characteristics of the Mid South Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days)

by residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 69

Figure 45 Characteristics of the South Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity

by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 70

Figure 46 Characteristics of the Murray/South West recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days)

by residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by by platform; C)

fisher days by water body type; and D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error

bars represent one standard error. ......................................................................................... 71

Figure 47 Characteristics of the Darling/North West recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days)

by residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 72

Figure 48 Characteristics of the ACT recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and

D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error. ....... 73

Figure 49 Proportion (%) of fisher and non-fisher households in NSW and the ACT reporting boat

ownership as at June 2013, by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard

error. ........................................................................................................................................ 74

Figure 50 Proportion (%) of NSW/ACT fisher households reporting boat ownership as at May 2014,

by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard error. ........................................... 75

Figure 51 Number of boats owned by NSW/ACT fisher households and used for recreational fishing

in 2013/14, by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard error. ........................ 76

Figure 52 Overall satisfaction with recreational fishing for the 12 month diary period – as reported

by the main/key fisher aged 15 years and older, in each resident household with fishing

activity in NSW/ACT waters. Error bars represent one standard error. ................................. 82

Figure 53 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters: A) number of persons; and B)

proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent one standard error. ................... 85

Figure 54 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters, by residential stratum: A)

number of persons; and B) proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent

one standard error. Note: the regional boundaries in 2000 differed slightly to those in

2013 - the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) (Pink 2011). .......................... 86

Figure 55 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters, by age group: A) number of

persons; and B) proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent one standard

error. ........................................................................................................................................ 87

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

x NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 56 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 - by freshwater and

saltwater. Error bars represent one standard error. ............................................................... 88

Figure 57 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing platform

(boat and shore). Error bars represent one standard error.................................................... 89

Figure 58 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing method.

Error bars represent one standard error. ................................................................................ 89

Figure 59 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by water body type.

Error bars represent one standard error. ................................................................................ 90

Figure 60 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing zone.

Error bars represent one standard error. ................................................................................ 90

Figure 61 Total catch numbers (kept and released), harvest numbers (kept), and proportion (%) of

the total catch released for key marine species, by residents aged five years and older

who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error. ................................................................................................. 92

Figure 62 Total catch numbers (kept and released), harvest numbers (kept), and proportion (%) of

the total catch released for key freshwater species, by residents aged five years and older

who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error. ................................................................................................. 94

Figure 63 Mean line fishing catch rates of ‘desirable’ finfish species, by residents aged five years

and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by

saltwater and freshwater. Error bars represent one standard error. ...................................... 96

Figure 64 Mean line fishing catch rates of key saltwater and freshwater finfish species/groups by

residents aged five years and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01,

compared with 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error. ....................................... 97

Figure 65 Proportion (%) of recreational fishing boats used by residents in NSW/ACT waters during

2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by main propulsion method. Error bars represent one

standard error. ......................................................................................................................... 98

Figure 66 Proportion (%) of recreational fishing boats used by residents in NSW/ACT waters during

2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – with availability of: A) echo sounder or ‘fish finder’;

and B) global positioning system (GPS). Error bars represent one standard error. .............. 99

Figure 67 Comparison of overall satisfaction with recreational fishing for the 12 month diary period –

as reported by fishers in resident households with fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters in

2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error. ...................... 100

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xi NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Acknowledgments

The support of all Fisheries NSW staff in various technical, administrative and operational areas

has greatly contributed to the success of this project, including the various reviewers of this

report: Bob Creese, Michael Lowry, Peter Turnell and Bryan Van der Walt. Thanks also to Jim

Craig for providing commercial fisheries data for weight estimation and especially to Joe Neilson

and Geoff Barrett for their help in developing the GIS coding system for the Diary Survey data.

Other important contributors include:

• firstly, a special acknowledgment to Shirley Munro - our longest serving interviewer, with

close to 50 years direct experience in household surveys (including with ABS). Shirley

has now decided to retire, even though the quality of her work has never diminished in all

this time. Indeed Shirley has consistently delivered the highest response rates and the

lowest error rates of all our interviewers and not surprisingly, maintained her “No.1”

ranking throughout this survey – despite celebrating her 82

birthday in the final month

of the Diary Survey. You’ve had an astonishing career Shirl and you’re leaving very big

shoes to fill - we’re all going to miss you!

• the various photographers who provided the high quality images for this report and also

for the cover page of our Species Identification Guide for the Diary Survey: Glenn Biclar,

Graham Grocott, Brian James, Duy Khang Ngo, Hanz Kilian, James Milicevic, Warren

Robinson, Michael Sephton and Glen Towler;

• Patrick Tully, for the high quality images of various fish and other species contained in

this report and also, to Roger Swainston (ANIMA.net.au) for the many high quality

species images used in our Species Identification Guide;

• Aldo Steffe, formerly Fisheries NSW – for his significant inputs in the initial development

phase of this project and particularly, his ‘devil’s advocacy’ role in assessment of new

methodologies and various research options;

• Ken Pollock, Professor of Applied Ecology and Statistics, North Carolina State University

– especially for his advice in the initial development of the hybrid survey methodology,

which will no doubt prove to be a highly cost-effective approach in the future. Once

again, Ken’s dedication and expertise in terms of innovative recreational fisheries

research have emerged here;

• Simon Wotherspoon, University of Tasmania – for his ongoing assistance in refining the

RecSurvey analysis package and particularly in identifying various options, issues and

solutions for future dual-frame/hybrid surveys;

• Cheryl Munro, Assistant Survey Manager, Kewagama Research – for her primary role in

the recruitment of all new interviewing and office staff, an enormous task with the many

hundreds of applicants. Also, for her involvement in the training and ongoing

management of these staff, along with database development and all data editing;

• Kirrily McInnes, Recreational Fisheries Monitoring Unit, Fisheries Queensland – for her

invaluable assistance in the training of new interviewing staff and in handling all day-to-

day management of the state-wide survey in Queensland, which was conducted largely

in parallel to the NSW/ACT survey;

• our dedicated and professional team of highly-experienced and new interviewers: Colin

and Janette Buchanan, Peta Catt, Sharyn Clelland, Susan Collins, Bel Dobson, Suzy

Downes, Pip Jacobson, Lisa Kruck, Shirley Lines, Frances Lyrmont, Kellie Merriman,

Shirley Munro (mentioned above), Virginia Murphy, Robyn and Terry Parry, Karen

Rodwell, Kathleen Sammon, Leanne Staff, Deb Taylor and Jane Thrum; Once again,

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

our interviewers have set the standard in terms of response rates and data quality for

telephone/diary surveys;

• our specialist data entry and editing staff whose attention to detail and accuracy are

always very much appreciated: Joanne Berridge, Amanda Smith, Lynn Taylor and Alicia

Trinder;

• finally and most importantly, the many thousands of residents who so willingly

participated in the various surveys – especially, the fishers in the Diary Survey for their

interest and continued co-operation over the 12 month period.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xiii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Non-technical summary

Survey of Recreational Fishing in New South Wales and the ACT, 2013/14

Principal investigators:

Consultant Staff: Kewagama Research – Laurie West

(Managing Director) and sub-consultants: Kate Stark and

Jeremy Lyle

77 Redwood Rd, Doonan, QLD 4562

Phone: 07 5471 1426

Departmental Staff: Jeff Murphy and Faith Ochwada-Doyle

C/-Port Stephens Fisheries Institute

Locked Bag 1

NELSON BAY NSW 2315

Phone: 02 4982 1232

Objectives

To provide detailed ‘big picture’ information for recreational fishing in NSW and ACT waters, by

residents aged five years and older. Data elements included:

• fishing participation levels – by age, gender and residential region;

• detailed annual catch and effort information – by fishing method, platform (boat or shore),

water body type (e.g. ocean waters, estuaries, rivers and lakes/dams) and for nine

defined fishing zones;

• boat ownership levels and profiling of the recreational fishing ‘fleet’; and

• the opinions of recreational fishers and other attitudinal information.

Also, optimum comparability was required with the National Recreational Fishing Survey (NRFS,

2000/01), thereby enabling direct comparison of key survey results between the two periods.

Key words

Recreational fishing, Telephone/diary survey

Summary

Background and Development Work

The NRFS was the first comprehensive assessment of recreational fishing in Australia and

provided a range of ‘big picture’ information (as noted above) for each state and territory (Henry

and Lyle, 2003). Since then, various jurisdictions have conducted state/territory-wide surveys to

provide comparable information to the NRFS. In each of these studies, the main survey

instrument (an ‘off-site’ telephone/diary survey) has been the same – with stratified random

sampling from ‘White Pages’ telephone listings and expansion of all survey results to Australian

Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates of the resident population for the state/territory concerned.

Analysis of these surveys has been conducted using a customised analysis package

(RecSurvey; Lyle et al., 2009a).

Since the NRFS, Fisheries NSW has conducted a number of ‘on-site’ surveys, including several

with large spatial and temporal scales, e.g. the Recreational Fishing Surveys in the Greater

Sydney Region (Steffe et al., 2011). Also, in the lead-up to the present survey, extensive

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xiv NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

development work was undertaken to optimise data quality and utility for telephone/diary surveys

– a key feature of which, has been the development and application of ‘dual-frame/hybrid’

sampling.

In the current survey, White Pages sampling comprised the ‘core’ sample frame and has

provided direct comparibility with NRFS data for NSW and the ACT, as for telephone/diary

surveys in other jurisdictions. Also, as an integral part of the hybrid survey design,

supplementary sampling was undertaken of licence holders from the NSW Recreational Fishing

Fee (RFF) database. However by design, the results from this component are the subject of

separate analysis and reporting. Therefore, all substantive survey results in this report refer to

the White Pages sample frame for NSW/ACT residents, together with comparable data from the

NRFS.

Survey Methods

In the present survey, participation rates and the demographic profiles of resident recreational

fishers were assessed through a regionally-stratified, random telephone survey of over 9,400

NSW/ACT households – comprising over 22,000 residents aged five years and older. This

Screening Survey also identified households with an intention to fish in the coming 12 months

and in the subsequent Diary Survey, the fishing activities of nearly 1,700 households were

monitored in detail between June 2013 and May 2014. All survey information was recorded by

specialist interviewers through regular telephone contact with diarists and over 11,800 person-

based fishing events were reported by more than 2,000 recreational fishers. Note: as for many

state/territory-wide surveys since the NRFS, fishing-related expenditure information was not

collected in the survey.

A Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey was conducted as the final contact with diarists to collect boat

ownership details and examine fishers’ opinions and attitudes to various fishing-related matters.

Also, a sample of households from the original Screening Survey that reported no intention to

fish was re-contacted at the end of the diary period to identify and account for any unexpected

fishing (the Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey). Response rates across all survey

components were exceptionally high (often in excess of 90%) – confirming both the high levels

of interest and co-operation by recreational fishers and the performance standards of the survey

instrument. By calibrating against ABS population benchmarks (as at June 2013) and applying

non-response adjustments, all survey results (including participation, effort, catch and boat

ownership) have been expanded to represent the resident population of NSW and the ACT,

aged five years and older.

Key Results

Fishing Participation

An estimated 849,249 (SE 27,639) NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older fished at least

once in Australian waters in the twelve months prior to June 2013, representing a participation

rate of 11.9% (SE 0.4%). The vast majority (98.5%) of these residents fished in NSW or ACT

waters during this time (836,632 residents; SE 27,456) representing a participation rate of 11.7%

(SE 0.4%).

This report focuses on the latter group, namely residents who fished in NSW or ACT waters.

While close to half (45%) of all recreational fishers resided in the Sydney region, this also

represented the lowest participation rate (8.6%). The highest participation rate (20.7%) occurred

in the south-east of the state. Males accounted for well over two-thirds of the recreational

fishers with a participation rate of 16.9%, compared with 6.6% for females. Although the highest

number of fishers was in the 30-44 years age group (217,639 persons), children (5-14 years)

had the highest participation rate (19.6%). Persons in the 60 years plus age group had the

lowest rate of participation (6.7%).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xv NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fishing Effort

During the 12 months between June 2013 and May 2014, resident fishers aged 5 years and

older accounted for an estimated 3,181,035 fisher days in NSW or ACT waters – or an average

of 4.3 days per fisher. However, as with most recreational fisheries, the distribution of fishing

effort was highly skewed, with a relatively small number of fishers (20%) accounting for a high

proportion (almost 60%) of total fisher days.

The majority (79%) of all recreational fishing activity occurred in saltwater – primarily estuaries,

followed by inshore and offshore waters. Over half of all freshwater fishing occurred in rivers, as

opposed to lakes and dams. Shore-based fishing accounted for 59% of all fisher days and line

fishing (whether with bait or lures) was the dominant fishing method at 93% of the total effort.

The use of pots or traps was relatively minor, along with nets, diving and other methods (e.g.

digging and hand-collecting).

Regionally, the six coastal fishing zones accounted for the vast majority (84%) of all fisher days,

with the Mid South Coast (22%) and Sydney (19%) having the highest activity levels. The three

inland zones accounted for 16% of total fisher days, with the majority (10%) in the Murray/South

West zone. In terms of seasonality, the summer period accounted for a third (33%) of total

fisher days, followed by autumn (25%), spring (23%) and winter (19%).

Catch

Resident recreational fishers captured a diverse range of scalefish, elasmobranchs (sharks and

rays), crustaceans, molluscs and other taxa, with an estimated 14,059,634 organisms caught

during the 12 month survey period. Of the total catch, 7,843,644 (56%) were retained and the

remaining 6,215,990 (44%) were released. Fish (scalefish and elasmobranchs) accounted for

75% of the total catch by numbers, followed by crustaceans (21%), worms (2%), cephalopods

and molluscs (at 1% each).

In terms of saltwater fish, bream was the most common species group caught (an estimated

2,205,656), followed by the various flathead species (2,103,835), Snapper (755,350) and the

whiting species group (733,620). Among the freshwater fish, European Carp (500,164) was the

main species caught, followed by Australian Bass (195,802), Murray Cod (165,557) and trout

(Brown and Rainbow – a total of 157,975).

The smaller crustacean species dominated the remainder of the total catch (by numbers) –

saltwater nippers (1,415,852), followed by saltwater prawns (728,843) and freshwater shrimp

(409,711). Freshwater yabbies (275,108) accounted for the majority of the larger crustaceans,

followed by Blue Swimmer Crab (73,501), Mud Crab (48,634) and rock lobster (26,507).

Overall, 44% of all species caught were released (or discarded), with the highest rates of release

(>75%) for species such as Australian Bass, Mulloway, Murray Cod, Red Rock Cod, sharks and

rays, Snapper and wrasse/gropers. By contrast, the lowest release rates (<25%) occurred for

species such as European Carp, Blue Mackerel, Trumpeter Whiting, tunas and various

crustaceans. In terms of reasons for release, ‘small size’ was the primary release reason for

over two-thirds of all species groups and especially for major ‘table’ species, such as bream,

flathead, whiting, key freshwater finfish, the various crustaceans and squid. Large catches (‘too

many’ or ‘over bag limit’) were the primary release reason for Freshwater Shrimp and various

small bait species. ‘Catch and release’ emerged as the primary release reason for Australian

Salmon and Australian Bass, with ‘un-wanted’ the main reason for Red Rock Cod, sharks and

rays and various other scalefish.

Total recreational harvest weights were estimated for 10 key species and compared with

commercial fisheries data. Recreational catches exceeded commercial landings for 5 of the 10

species – namely: 71% of the total harvest of Dusky Flathead; 67% for Sand Flathead; 63% for

both Mulloway and Tailor; and 52% for Yellowtail Kingfish. The recreational catches of bream,

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xvi NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Sand Whiting and Snapper were slightly lower than commercial landings (ranging from 40-49%

of the total harvest), whereas the recreational catch of Australian Salmon and Silver Trevally

were substantially smaller than the commercial harvest (both at 14% of the overall total).

Catch and effort data for some 23 key species have been examined in detail, based on fishing

zone, fishing method, fishing platform, water body type and seasonality. All such results are

also available for many other key species/groups in various tables and appendices throughout

the report. The characteristics of regional fisheries (fishing zones) have also been examined in

detail, namely the levels of fishing effort by where fishers resided, fishing platform, water body

type and total catch estimates for the key species in each area.

Boat Ownership

In the Screening Survey, boat ownership was broadly assessed with 11% of all NSW/ACT

households reporting ownership of at least one boat, as at June 2013. Substantially higher

ownership levels (38%) emerged among households with any fishing activity in the previous 12

months, compared with 6% for non-fishing households.

Boat ownership and profiling information was also assessed in the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey

for those households with any fishing activity during the diary period. In response, an estimated

180,622 (or 44% of) fishing households reported ownership of at least one boat, for a total of

230,118 boats – or close to 1.3 boats per household. Over three-quarters (76%) of these boats

were used for fishing during the diary period, resulting in an estimated recreational fishing ‘fleet’

of 173,895 boats. Most of these boats were powered/trailer boats, with two-thirds (66%) less

than 5 metres in length. Echo sounders were reported in a majority (56%) of the fleet and 39%

with GPS units. The estimated total market value of the recreational fishing fleet as at May 2014

was over $1.534 billion – an average of $8,826 per boat.

Recreational Fishing Motivations, Satisfaction and Final Questions

In the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey, membership of a “fishing or diving club ... or association” was

assessed, with close to 6% of all fishers aged 5 years and older reporting current membership.

Fishers were also asked to rate the importance of eight motivational factors in relation to

recreational fishing. The highest general importance rating (95% with at least ‘quite important’)

emerged for “to be outdoors, in the fresh air ... to enjoy nature”, followed by “to relax or unwind”

(92%) and “the enjoyment or sport of catching fish, crabs etc” (85%). Social factors also scored

highly, with “to spend time with your family” and “to spend time with your friends”, both around

80%. Lower ratings emerged for “to catch fresh fish/crabs etc. for food” (58%), followed by “to

be on your own ... to get away from people” (41%) and “to compete in fishing competitions of

any kind” (less than 5%).

Respondents were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the overall quality of their fishing

during the diary period. In response, three-quarters (76%) of fishers reported being at least

quite satisfied, with similar general satisfaction rates across the residential strata and age

groups. All respondents reporting general dissatisfaction (24%) with their fishing were asked

their reasons and in many cases, low catch rates were cited as the main reason.

Comparison of Results – 2000/01 and 2013/14

As noted earlier, a key objective of the present survey was to optimise comparability with results

from the NRFS and to identify any changes or developments in the recreational fishery that

might have occurred over the thirteen year period. However, despite the fundamental

comparability and robust nature of the two studies, the issue of inter-annual variability between

the two surveys is a critical factor when interpreting any differences e.g. natural changes in

abundance of individual species. Other factors should also be considered, such as changes

over time in terms of: fishing practices (e.g. increased usage of lures); targeting preferences;

technology (e.g. GPS availability); and regulations, such as size and bag/possession limits.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

xvii NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

The final results section in this report (‘Comparison of Key Survey Results – 2000/01 and

2013/14’, Page 84) provides detailed analysis of results from the two surveys and due to the

volume and complexity of this information, readers should routinely refer to this section for any

comparison or review purposes. However, several key findings have been noted below.

Firstly, participation rates for recreational fishing in NSW/ACT waters decreased from 16.6% of

the resident population aged five years and older in 2000 to 11.7% in 2013. Importantly,

decreased participation rates have also occurred in other states, territories and overseas. In

fact, based on results from various state/territory-wide surveys since the NRFS, the level of

decrease has been higher in most other jurisdictions. For example, in the same 13 year period,

the participation rate in Queensland decreased from 23.5% to 15.1% (Webley et al., in press).

Note: This report contains discussion of various contributing factors, e.g. the ‘ageing’ of the

population and also provides comparative information for levels of fishing effort (fisher days)

and total catch for key species (including harvest/kept and released components).

To assist with this comparative work, a broad catch rate analysis for line fishing was conducted

for ‘desirable’ key finfish species (both freshwater and saltwater), i.e. those fish generally

regarded as good ‘table’ quality or sportfish species. Among the ‘desirable’ fish species/groups,

the overall catch rates increased between the two surveys for various species (e.g. Yellowtail

Kingfish, Australian Salmon, Murray Cod and Mulloway), with relatively stable catch rates for

other species (e.g. bream, Snapper and the various flathead species) and decreased catch rates

in several cases (e.g. Tailor, Golden Perch, leatherjackets and the various whiting species).

However, when analysed more simply as the proportion of ‘zero’ catch versus ‘successful’ line

fishing days (i.e. at least some catch), little difference emerged – namely, ‘zero’ catch days

comprised 31% and 33% (respectively) of all line fishing days in the two periods.

Very similar boat ownership rates were assessed for NSW/ACT resident households between

the two periods (around one in ten households in both cases), with consistently higher

ownership rates among fishing households (34% and 38%, respectively), than for non-fishing

households (4% and 6%, respectively). Also, among the recreational fishing ‘fleet’, substantial

increases occurred in terms of the proportion of: kayaks and other ‘paddle’ craft (a doubling

between the two surveys); boats with echo sounder availability (over 50% more); and GPS

availability (more than triple).

The proportion of recreational fishers who were identified as being a member of a “fishing or

diving club ... or association” was very similar in the two surveys (6.1% and 5.7%, respectively).

Also, virtually no changes occurred in terms of the relative importance of eight motivational

factors for recreational fishing, as rated by respondents. For example, two non-catch related

factors scored the highest ratings in both surveys, firstly: “to be outdoors, in the fresh air ... to

enjoy nature” – where over 94% of fishers rated this factor as at least quite important in both

cases; then secondly “to relax or unwind”, with 92% reporting at least quite important in both

surveys. The third highest rating factor was catch-related, namely “for the enjoyment or sport of

catching fish, crabs, etc” with over 81% in both cases.

Respondents were also asked how satisfied they were with the overall quality of their fishing

during the 12 month diary period in both surveys – with 61% reporting being at least quite

satisfied in 2001, compared with a substantial increase to 76% in 2014.

Finally, the project has achieved all its goals and objectives, with an extensive range of data

available for NSW/ACT recreational fisheries. In addition to this report, a substantial database

has been established to support management and ongoing sustainability of fisheries resources.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

1 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Introduction

Background

Catch and effort data are essential for effective research and management of both commercial

and recreational fisheries. Participation assessments, along with attitudinal and economic

information are also important. Typically, core monitoring data are more easily obtained for the

commercial fisheries sector, due to the smaller number of participants and the existence of

mandatory reporting requirements.

Over the years, the comparatively high cost of recreational fisheries research has led to a lack of

detailed information for this sector and particularly, on a state/territory-wide basis. Recognising

this need, in 1993 the Northern Territory government commissioned Kewagama Research to

develop and implement a survey methodology to collect this information – Fishcount (Coleman,

1998). This was the first study of its kind in Australia to provide detailed estimates of

recreational fishing on a jurisdiction-wide basis, including participation, catch, effort and fishing-

related expenditure.

Around that time, similar concerns in other jurisdictions led to the development of a national

policy for recreational fishing in Australia. The policy was released in 1994 and endorsed the

principle that “fisheries management decisions should be based on sound information including

fish biology, fishing activity, catches and economic and social values of recreational fishing”

(NRFWG, 1994). The policy recommended that a national survey of recreational fishing be

undertaken once every five years.

Following extensive consultation and development, the Commonwealth, state and territory

fisheries agencies implemented the National Recreational Fishing Survey (NRFS) in 2000. The

key objectives of the NRFS were: to determine participation rates in recreational fishing; profile

the demographic characteristics of recreational fishers; quantify recreational catch and effort;

collect data on expenditure by the recreational fishing sector; and assess attitudes and

awareness of recreational fishers to issues relevant to the fishery (Henry and Lyle, 2003).

The NRFS was implemented as a series of state/territory-wide surveys using a common

methodology, providing comparable information on an Australia-wide basis and including the

activity of visiting interstate fishers. In addition to nationally aggregated information, Henry and

Lyle (2003) provided summary statistics for each of the states and territories. Also, as an

integral part of the NRFS project, a separate survey of indigenous fishing activity was conducted

in coastal communities across northern Australia (WA, NT and QLD) and the results were

included in Henry and Lyle (2003).

In the absence of plans to repeat the national survey, in 2007/08 Tasmania and South Australia

successfully conducted state-wide surveys to provide up-to-date ‘big-picture’ information on

recreational fishing. These surveys employed the same methodology as the NRFS – namely, a

telephone/diary survey of households that were randomly sampled from White Pages telephone

directories. However by design, the fishing activity of interstate or overseas visitors was

excluded in these surveys. Also, in most of these surveys, fishing-related expenditure

information was not collected in the diary phase. Similar state/territory-wide surveys have since

been conducted in other jurisdictions, along with large-scale surveys of recreational fishing

licence holders in Victoria and Western Australia.

In the 20 years prior to the NRFS, Fisheries NSW completed some 27 recreational fisheries

assessments, with the majority being on-site (or ‘creel’) surveys at various spatial and temporal

scales. These studies were focused on particular segments of the recreational fishery, with

most conducted at the individual estuary level, for example: Henry (1984); Scanes (1988);

Williams et al. (1993); and West and Gordon (1994). Several other studies were conducted on

larger spatial scales, including assessments of: the state-wide trailer-boat fishery in marine

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

waters (Steffe et al.,1996a); estuarine fishing effort and shore-based marine fishing on the North

Coast (Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads; Steffe et al., 1996b); the state-wide charter fishing

industry (Steffe et al., 1999). The temporal scales of these research projects ranged from a few

months to annual studies (and longer).

The NRFS in 2000/01 was the first assessment of the entire recreational fishery in NSW and

enabled comparisons of the various components of marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries.

In the period since the NRFS, Fisheries NSW has conducted a variety of on-site surveys (a total

of 13 projects), including: an assessment of Recreational Fishing Havens (Steffe, 2005a; Steffe

et al., 2005b); a survey of Sydney Harbour (Ghosn et al., 2010); and a major two-year study of

two estuaries (Hawkesbury River and Port Hacking) and marine boat-fishing in the Greater

Sydney Region, i.e. from Newcastle to Shellharbour (Steffe and Murphy 2011). In addition to the

above research, several biological studies have been conducted in terms of various species of

importance to recreational fishing (Stewart et al., 2010; and Hughes et al., 2011). The impact of

‘catch and release’ practices in recreational fishing has also been assessed (Broadhurst et al.,

2012; and Butcher et al., 2012).

Developments since the NRFS

Developments in other Jurisdictions

After detailed analysis and assessment of NRFS data, several improvements have been made

to subsequent state/territory-wide surveys. Firstly, to reduce respondent burden and optimise

response rates, certain question areas were deferred from the initial screening survey (see

’Screening Survey’, Page 7) until later in the study, e.g. detailed boat profiling information is now

routinely collected in the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey for the recreational fishing ‘fleet’ (see

‘Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey’, Page 9). However, other data elements have been totally

excluded, e.g. profiling the labour force status and educational qualifications of fishers. By

contrast, additional question areas have been included, e.g. routine assessment of the reasons

for releasing fish and other species during the 12 month diary phase. Another feature of these

surveys is the routine collection of detailed ‘fishing site’ information during the diary period (see

further discussion in ‘Fishing Zones’, Page 11).

Since the NRFS, major improvements in statistical analyses have also become available through

development of a customised analysis package, known as RecSurvey (Lyle et al., 2009a). This

analysis package has been employed in the analysis of all state/territory-wide, general

population surveys since the NRFS – including the current survey and all re-analyses of

comparable NRFS data.

Recent Development Work by Fisheries NSW

In addition to the extensive on-site surveys discussed in ’Background’ (Page 1), Fisheries NSW

recognised the need for updated state-wide data (as per the NRFS) and in 2010/11 undertook a

major development project to identify data needs and evaluate various options for this research.

The project also focused on independent validation and ‘future-proofing’ of the NRFS survey

methodology and this early groundwork has been acknowledged in a recent development project

for the design and conduct of regular national surveys. This latter project is being co-ordinated

by the federal government (ABARES), with inputs from all state/territory agencies and specialist

consultant staff (Georgeson et al., in press).

At the time of the NRFS, over 80% of all resident households in Australia had a White Pages

listed home telephone. However since then, the proportion of White Pages listed households is

believed to have continually declined and although no current data are available, anecdotal

information suggests a current national coverage level of less than 70%.

In the 2010/11 NSW development project, a dual-frame (or ‘hybrid’) survey design was identified

as a cost-effective solution to this coverage issue. By employing two sampling frames, namely

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

3 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

White Pages directories and the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee (RFF) database, broader

coverage would be provided in terms of licensed vs. exempt fishers and White Pages listed vs.

unlisted fishers (i.e. through the White Pages and RFF frames, respectively). Other benefits of

this approach include improved overall data precision and significantly lower total costs

(primarily diarist recruitment costs), due to naturally higher fishing participation rates in the RFF

vs. White Pages sample frames. It was therefore decided to further develop the hybrid survey

methodology for use in the current survey, on the basis that the White Pages directories would

provide the ‘core’ sample frame and therefore direct comparability with NRFS data for NSW. It

was also decided to include residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), to provide cost-

effective coverage of their fishing activity in both NSW and ACT waters.

The secondary sample frame for the hybrid survey was identified as the NSW RFF database.

However to optimise cost-effectiveness, this was confined to long-term (i.e. 1 or 3 year) licence

holders residing in NSW or the ACT. Note: after extensive analysis of NRFS data, it emerged

that resident households containing at least one long-term licence holder, were assessed as

accounting for: 59% of all recreational fishers in NSW; 71% of annual days fished; 79% of the

total catch of all species; and 82% of the total harvest.

Further analysis of NRFS data showed that significant levels of fishing activity in NSW waters

were attributable to Victorian residents – including a majority of the total catch and effort in the

River Murray, e.g. for Murray cod and other key species. Accordingly, to provide important

supplementary information in this regard, a third sample frame was included in the current

survey, namely Victorian residents with a long-term (1 or 3 year) licence from the NSW RFF

database.

As detailed in ‘Sample and Response Profiles’ (Page 15), various performance indicators (e.g.

sample sizes and response rates) clearly demonstrate the success of the various survey

components of these three sample frames.

However by design, virtually all results contained in this report refer to the ‘core’ White Pages

sample frame – primarily to facilitate analysis and review of comparable NRFS data. That is,

results from the hybrid survey component for NSW/ACT residents are the subject of separate

analysis and reporting. In fact, the scope of final development work for this analysis is likely to

be broadened to include other forms of dual-frame/hybrid surveys (e.g. the use of boat

registration databases in certain jurisdictions). This extension has arisen as part of the current

ABARES development project and various aspects of this work are currently being discussed.

Finally, analysis and reporting of results from the third sample frame (Victorian resident/licence

holders) will also be undertaken separately.

Important development work has also been undertaken by Fisheries NSW staff in terms of GIS

coding of the location of each fishing activity/event as recorded in these telephone/diary surveys,

i.e. to achieve high resolution data, namely the latitude and longitude for each fishing event.

This work and its successful application in the current survey are further discussed in ‘Fishing

Zones’ (Page 11).

Essentially the same telephone/diary methodology developed for the NRFS has been employed

for the current survey, thereby optimising comparability with information collected in 2000/01.

This information includes: state/territory-wide participation rates and demographic profiles of

recreational fishers; catch and effort estimates for key methods, regions and species; fishing

boat profiles; and fisher attitudes and opinions. Note: as for many other state/territory-wide

surveys since the NRFS, fishing-related expenditure information was not collected in the survey.

Important Notes to the Reader

The remainder of this report comprises detailed discussion of: study scope, definitions and other

methodological issues (see ‘Survey Methods and Analysis’, Page 6); sampling issues and

response (see ’Sample and Response Profiles’, Page 15); with substantive survey results in

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

4 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

‘Fisher Characteristics’ (Page 19) and all subsequent sections of the report. In reviewing these

results, the following important aspects should be considered:

• firstly, as discussed in ’Recent Development Work by Fisheries NSW’ (Page 2), virtually

all results contained in this report refer to the ‘core’ White Pages sample frame to provide

optimum comparability with NRFS data. That is, results from parallel sampling of the

NSW RFF database will be analysed and reported separately;

• also, the scope of this report is confined to the resident population of NSW and the ACT

(aged five years and older) and the survey results are predominantly focused on fishing

activities in NSW/ACT waters (as further defined in ’Survey Scope’, Page 6). However,

interstate fishing activity by NSW/ACT residents was also assessed and relevant results

have been included where appropriate, e.g. participation levels and days fished on an

Australia-wide basis;

• in accordance with the agreed reporting structure, the survey results have generally been

presented without interpretation or commentary – unless such information refers to

important definitions or methodological issues;

• the study findings are often presented as detailed tabulations of ‘expanded’ data – i.e.

estimates based on relevant Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) benchmark data

(households, persons) and in turn, related fishing effort and catch. However where

appropriate, some results are presented in graphic form (namely, histograms/bar charts)

and in all such cases, relevant data tabulations have been included as appendices;

• within the various tables and appendices in the report, individual results have routinely

been rounded to whole integers and therefore, some row or column totals may not add

exactly (usually +/- 1). Also, in the text of the report, proportional results have generally

been reported as rounded/whole percentages (e.g. 24% of the total catch – as opposed

to 23.7%). Therefore, in some cases, the total reported percentages may not equal

100% (due to rounding). However, in all tables and appendices, percentages have been

reported at the single, decimal point level;

• in terms of ‘non-sample error’ (e.g. non-response and reporting biases), optimum data

quality has been achieved through a range of measures/outcomes in the study, including

excellent response rates in all survey components (see ’Sample and Response Profiles’,

Page 15). Despite this, minor adjustments/calibrations have been applied through the

RecSurvey analysis package, in accordance with routine procedures detailed in Lyle et

al. (2009a);

• in any sample survey, estimate precision is affected by ‘sample error’ – due to the fact

that sampling was employed, as opposed to a total enumeration (or census) of the

population concerned. To account for this, standard errors (SEs) have been calculated

through the analysis package and included in all substantive figures, data tabulations and

appendices. Also, in cases where the significance of a particular result or change has

been reported, 95% confidence limits have been routinely applied (i.e. the SE x 1.96);

• however, where high levels of variability occur or small sub-samples are involved, these

SEs can be quite large in relation to the estimates concerned. To highlight these, cases

where the relative standard error (RSE) is greater than 40% of the estimate have been

routinely shown in bold text. Similarly, estimates derived from less than 30 households

(in the raw data) have been italicised. Further details on this issue are discussed in

’Statistical Uncertainty’ (Page 14);

• for completeness, all survey estimates from the analyses have been included in the data

tabulations and appendices, including some very small estimates. Also, ‘zero’ estimates

can commonly occur in these tables and importantly, this does not imply no such

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

5 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

occurrence in the population overall – rather, that none was detected within the limits of

the survey sample. Therefore, readers should routinely interpret such results as ‘nil or

negligible’; and

• a large number of data tabulations, figures and appendices have been included in this

report – along with substantially more analyses which have been provided separately, in

anticipation of requests for more detailed data. Also, the various survey databases are

an output requirement of the project and, subject to error tolerances, considerable further

interrogation can be undertaken.

Report Structure Acknowledgment

The current survey employed an almost identical methodology to all telephone/diary surveys

(using White Pages sampling) conducted in other jurisdictions since the NRFS. These studies

were also analysed using the RecSurvey analysis package and much of the content and

structure of the first Tasmanian report (Lyle et al., 2009b) has been applied to subsequent

reports in South Australia (Jones 2009) and the Northern Territory (West et al., 2012), by

agreement with the authors and with appropriate acknowledgment. Similarly, the content and

structure of this report has been largely adapted from the original Tasmanian report and

especially in terms of the presentation of survey results in ’Fisher Characteristics’ (Page 19) and

all subsequent sections of the report. The contribution of our co-authors in this respect (and

many others) is very much appreciated.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

6 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Survey Methods and Analysis

Data collection for the survey was based on a telephone/diary approach – an off-site

methodology developed to provide cost-effective data over large spatial scales, such as an

entire state. A detailed description of the telephone/diary design philosophy and methodology is

provided in Lyle et al. (2002a) and Henry and Lyle (2003). Data analysis procedures are

described in detail by Lyle et al. (2009a) and have been undertaken using the statistical

computing language R (R Core Team, 2013). An overview of the survey methodology and data

analysis is provided below.

Survey Scope

The telephone-diary survey encompassed the private dwelling (PD), resident population of NSW

and the ACT, aged five years and older, and their recreational fishing activity. Note: PD

residents account for over 98% of the total resident population and by definition, non-private

dwellings (NPD) include: hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, military barracks and gaols.

Recreational fishing was broadly defined as the capture (or attempted capture) of aquatic

animals in Australian waters (freshwater, estuarine and marine), other than for commercial

purposes. Also, traditional fishing was excluded from the scope. However, any recreational

fishing by indigenous residents or commercial fishers was included. All recreational fishing

techniques and harvesting activities were considered in-scope, including dive and hand

collection, the use of pots, nets and spears, as well as various forms of line fishing.

As for most state/territory-wide surveys since the NRFS, the activities of interstate residents in

NSW/ACT waters were considered out-of-scope. By contrast, the current survey has been the

first such study since the NRFS to collect detailed participation, effort and catch data for

interstate fishing activity by in-scope (i.e. NSW/ACT) residents. However, as noted in ‘Important

Notes to the Reader’ (Page 3), the results in this report are predominantly focused on fishing

activities in NSW/ACT waters.

Survey Methods

Survey Overview

The telephone-diary methodology involved a two-phase survey design, the principal components

being an initial screening phase to gather profiling information from a sample of the resident

population and a subsequent, intensive phase, in which respondents provided detailed catch

and effort information over a 12 month period. In this second phase, effectively a longitudinal

panel survey, respondents were encouraged to use a simple ‘diary card’ to record key fishing

data. Respondents were then contacted regularly by survey interviewers who were responsible

for collecting this information. The underlying design philosophy is focused on minimising

respondent burden and maximising response rates and data quality.

Additional survey components included a non-intending fisher follow-up survey and a wash-

up/attitudinal survey. The non-intending fisher ‘call-backs’ involved a sample of households that

had indicated at screening that no residents were likely to do any recreational fishing during the

diary period. This component was designed to identify and account for ‘unexpected fishing’ that

may have occurred during the diary period. Finally, the opinions and attitudes of diarists to

fishing-related matters were assessed at the end of the diary period in a ‘Wash-up’ survey, along

with detailed boat-profiling information.

Consultant staff of Kewagama Research had primary responsibility for the design, conduct,

processing and analysis of all survey components, along with ultimate reporting for the study.

However, effective liaison was maintained with Fisheries NSW staff throughout the project and

especially in terms of various technical and biological issues.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

7 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 1 Survey components diagram - Survey of Recreational Fishing in NSW/ACT, 2013/14

Screening Survey

The primary role of the screening interview was to collect profiling information for all household

members (e.g. sex and age group), as well as establishing eligibility to participate in the

following diary phase. Profiling information was important not only to characterise the sample

population, but also to examine issues relating to representation and response.

The Screening Survey was administered as a structured interview by telephone with a random

sample of NSW/ACT households. The White Pages telephone directories provided the sample

frame, with obvious business numbers, non-private dwellings and multiple listings removed. For

each selected listing/telephone number, the suburb was also noted enabling the selection to be

assigned to a Statistical Area, Level 4 (SA4) – an ABS classification used to define 10 residential

strata for the survey (see ’Sampling Strata’, Page 9). Stratified random sampling was

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

8 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

undertaken with a higher sampling rate for those strata with smaller resident populations (e.g.

the North West stratum) and lower sampling rates for the larger strata (e.g. Sydney). Within

each stratum, care was taken to ensure that the proportional breakdown of the sample at the

SA3 level (within each SA4) aligned with the known proportion of private dwellings based on

ABS data. Note: in addition to landline numbers, 5% of selected listings included mobile

numbers. In order to minimise non-contacts, at least 15 calls were made to each ‘live’ telephone

number. Disconnected numbers, business and facsimile numbers were treated as sample loss

and not replaced. The Screening Survey was conducted from March to May 2013.

Within each responding household, the demographic profiles (age group and gender) of all usual

residents were obtained. For residents aged five years and older, involvement in recreational

fishing over the previous 12 months and likelihood (expectation) of doing any recreational fishing

in the following 12 months was established. All respondents who had fished during the 12

months prior to interview were asked whether they had fished interstate and to estimate how

many days they had fished in the previous 12 months, by category (< 5 days, 5-9 days, 10-14

days, 15-19 days and 20 days or more). This latter detail was used as an index of avidity, rather

than a direct or accurate measure of prior fishing activity, which allowed fishers to be broadly

classified as (e.g.) infrequent, occasional or frequent fishers. Boat ownership was also

established for all households, regardless of whether they contained fishers or not. All

households in which at least one member (regardless of prior fishing history) expressed a

likelihood of fishing during the following 12 months were considered eligible for the second

(diary) phase of the study.

Diary Survey

All households identified as eligible for the Diary Survey were invited to participate in this phase

of the study. Fishing activity of all household members aged five years and older was monitored

between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. The approach taken in this survey differed to

conventional angler diary surveys in two important ways: first the diary was employed more as a

‘memory jogger’ than a logbook; and second, responsibility for data collection rested with the

survey interviewers and not the diarists. Typically, response rates from other forms of diary

survey (e.g. mail-back surveys) are low and data quality can suffer in terms of completeness,

accuracy and consistency. Also, since the burden of maintaining the diary rests with the

respondent, instructions may be misinterpreted and data may be incomplete or ambiguous. The

need to periodically remind respondents to submit documentation creates a further problem,

whereby information that has not been diarised must be collected on the basis of recall, if at all.

By contrast, the telephone-diary approach employed in the current study (a form of panel

survey), effectively transferred the burden of data collection from the respondent to the survey

interviewer. Data collection was undertaken by brief telephone interview in which trained

interviewers recorded details of any fishing that had occurred since the last contact. The level of

fishing activity determined the frequency of such contact, but as a general rule, respondents

were called at least once a month, even if no fishing was planned.

All diarists were sent a survey kit, which included the diary card, a colour species identification

guide and an official covering letter for the survey. After receiving this, data requirements were

then explained to respondents in a brief telephone interview and the next contact arranged.

Respondents were encouraged to record basic information in their diaries, such as date,

location, start and finish times, and catch and release numbers. More detailed data, such as

target species, fishing method, platform (boat or shore), water body type (river, lake, estuary,

coastal, or offshore), and reasons for releasing any part of the catch, were collected for each

individual fishing event and recorded during the telephone interview. In the early stages of the

diary period, interviews were completed very soon after any planned fishing activity to optimise

respondents understanding of survey requirements. Then, by maintaining regular contact

(usually within a couple of weeks of any fishing activity), details of any non-diarised fishing were

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

9 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

obtained with minimal concern in relation to recall bias. Furthermore, this approach enabled

interviewers to immediately clarify any ambiguities and ensure completeness of information.

This in turn, provided for greater data utility, where for example, fishing effort could be

apportioned between target fisheries, methods, fishing platform, and so on.

Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey

The objective of this ‘call-back’ survey was to account for those persons who may have

unexpectedly ‘dropped-in’ to the fishery, providing symmetry for those persons who

unexpectedly ‘dropped-out’ of the fishery – namely, those diarists who did no fishing during the

diary period, despite intending to do so.

A random sample was drawn from all households (at screening) that had indicated no intention

to go fishing during the diary period and these were re-contacted shortly after the Diary Survey.

Whether any fishing had occurred during the diary period was established in a brief telephone

interview, with particular care to identify whether there had been a change in the household (e.g.

telephone number re-allocated) and also that household members were the same as those at

screening. Respondents who were identified as not being residents of the household at the time

of screening were excluded from the analysis.

Further details were collected from those households in which fishing was reported, including

demographic profile (age group and gender), whether individual members had fished in

NSW/ACT waters and/or interstate, the number of days fished during the 12 months of the diary

period (by ‘avidity’ category). Boat ownership and usage for recreational fishing during the diary

period were also assessed.

Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey

This survey was conducted with diarists at the end of the diary period and was designed to

assess a range of information, including confirmation of the completeness of the diary data for

each household member (whether they had reported fishing or not). Although boat ownership

was generally assessed for all households in the Screening Survey, detailed boat profiling

information (e.g. length, main propulsion method, usage for fishing and current market value)

was collected in the Wash-up Survey for boats owned by households reporting any fishing

activity during the diary period – to provide an assessment of the recreational fishing ‘fleet’.

The opinions and attitudes of diarists were also obtained in terms of various fishing-related

matters, from the main/key fisher in each household, aged 15 years and older. Several

‘structured’ question sequences from the NRFS were included here (e.g. assessment of

satisfaction with fishing in the diary period), along with a series of ‘un-structured’ questions to

gather respondents’ opinions on a variety of fishing-related issues (see further details in ’Other

Results: Wash Up/Attitudinal Survey’, Page 80).

Regions

Sampling Strata

Initial household selection (i.e. telephone listing/number) was based on a stratified random

sample design using the ten residential strata, aligning to ABS Statistical Areas (SA4 level) in

the Australian Standard Geography Standard, (ASGS) (Pink 2011), as follows:

1) Sydney: comprising fifteen SA4 codes: 102, plus 115 through to 128 (inclusive);

2) Hunter: SA4 codes 106 and 111;

3) Illawarra: SA4 codes 107 and 114;

4) Richmond/Tweed: SA4 code 112;

5) Mid North Coast: SA4 codes 104 and 108;

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

10 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

6) Central West/North: SA4 codes 103 and 110;

7) North West: SA4 code 105;

8) South East: SA4 code 101;

9) South West: SA4 codes 109 and 113;

10) ACT: SA4 code 801.

In most cases, these residential strata align exactly with the strata employed in the NRFS.

However, due to changes in some ABS boundaries since then, minor differences have occurred

in boundaries between the Hunter and Mid North Coast strata, resulting in approximately 16,000

resident households (or 6% of the Hunter) now classified as Mid North Coast (i.e. formerly the

northern Hunter area, now the southern Mid North Coast). A similar boundary change occurred

between the North West and Central West/North strata, with approximately 8,000 households

(15%) from the North West (eastern side), now classified as the Central West/North stratum.

Importantly, due to the contiguous and homogeneous nature of the households involved in these

two boundary changes, no significant differences have been assessed in terms of various survey

results, i.e. when comparing NRFS data (using the ‘old’ geography) to 2013/14 data using either

the ‘old’ or the ‘new’ geography.

A map of residential strata for the current survey is shown in Figure 2 and all survey results

referring to area of residence have been expanded to population benchmarks and analysed on

this basis. Note: two detached areas comprise residential stratum 6, namely 6a Central West

and 6b North.

Figure 2 Map of NSW and the ACT, showing ABS-based, residential survey strata used for sample

stratification and population benchmarks.

7 North West

Richmond/

Tweed

5 Mid North Coast

2 Hunter

1 Sydney

3 Illawarra

South East

9 South West

6a Central West

North

ACT 10

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

11 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fishing Zones

During the Diary Survey, interviewers collected detailed information about each fishing activity

(event) to enable classification of the fishing site using a GIS coding system (i.e. latitude and

longitude). Depending on the types of fishing location, different information was obtained by

interviewers, e.g. (i) for offshore fishing, a reef name or the distance and direction offshore from

a coastal town or feature; (ii) for estuarine fishing, the fishing site and estuary name (e.g. ABC

Point in XYZ Lake); and (iii) for major rivers, the nearest town and river name.

As discussed in ’Recent Development Work by Fisheries NSW’ (Page 2), all related procedures

and coding systems were primarily developed by staff from Fisheries NSW. After extensive

testing and refinement, the methodology has now been successfully applied to the many

thousands of fishing events in the 2013/14 survey database for NSW/ACT waters.

The primary objective of this high-resolution, spatial classification system is to optimise flexibility

in regional coding for surveys of this kind. In fact, whereas regional analysis of the current

survey has been conducted on a comparable basis to the NRFS, major separate research work

has already been conducted using different regional coding (i.e. five coastal Bio-regions in

NSW). Importantly, due to the ‘big-picture’ nature of these surveys, this coding system should

not be used to focus in on any small areas – unless a relatively large amount of fishing activity

took place there and adequate data precision was achieved.

Although detailed catch and effort information can be provided from the current survey for all

NRFS fishing regions, major estuaries and rivers – for practical purposes, the results in this

report have been confined to nine* fishing zones (which are directly comparable with the NRFS

zones):

1) North Coast;

2) Mid North Coast;

3) Hunter;

4) Sydney;

5) Mid South Coast;

6) South Coast;

7) Murray/South West;

8) Darling/North West;

9) ACT.

* Note: Lord Howe Island comprises fishing zone 10. Although no fishing activity was reported

for this area by diarists in the White Pages sampling frame, several fishing events were reported

by diarists in the licence frame (RFF) component.

Other fishing location information was also collected in the Diary Survey in terms of water body

type: marine waters > or < 5kms from the coastline; estuarine waters; freshwater rivers; and

freshwater lakes/dams, public or private.

A map of the nine fishing zones is shown in Figure 3 and all results from the diary phase of the

survey have been routinely analysed on this basis.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

12 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 3 Map of NSW and the ACT showing fishing zones used for reporting fishing activities.

Fishing Effort

Fishing information was collected on an ‘event’ basis, where an event was defined as a discrete

fishing episode and the actual household member(s) involved in the event were recorded.

Separate fishing events were defined where there was a change in fishing region or water body

type, target species and/or fishing method. As a result, a day’s fishing trip could comprise more

than one event; e.g. fishers may gather bait prior to line fishing for flathead. Both the gathering

of bait and the subsequent fishing were considered to be separate events since the effort

expended in the capture of bait cannot be attributed to the capture of any flathead and vice

versa. Similarly, the use of passive fishing gear (such as crab pots) at the same time as line

fishing, were recorded as separate fishing events. The delineation of fishing activity in this

manner provided an ability to analyse effort (and catch) on the basis of fishing method and target

species/fishery. Furthermore, four measures of effort have been applied, namely the number of

fishers, fisher days (i.e. separate days on which some form of fishing was undertaken by a

fisher), fishing events and hours fished. However, fisher days has been used as the primary

measure of fishing effort in this report.

It should also be noted that person-based effort has been routinely calculated and included in

this report for all fishing methods. However, for passive fishing methods, the numbers of

pots/traps and nets were also recorded in the Diary Survey and this information is available in

the database for more detailed analysis of related fishing effort as required, e.g. the number of

pot/person days of effort.

Fishing Methods

A variety of fishing/harvesting methods were reported by diarists, but for most analysis

purposes, the following reporting categories have been defined: line fishing (bait and/or

North

Coast

Mid

North Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South Coast

South Coast

ACT

Darling/North West

Murray/South West

L. Macquarie

Broken Bay

L. Illawarra

Jervis Bay

Twofold Bay

Tuross R.

Botany Bay

Tweed R.

Wallis L.

Myall L.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

13 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

lure/jig/fly lines); pot/trap (baited, passive use); net (including scoop and drag/seine nets); dive

collection (underwater spearfishing and hand collection by snorkel, scuba or hookah); and other

methods (e.g. other hand collection and the use of pumps and spades).

Catch

A Species Identification Guide including clear colour images was provided to all diarists to

optimise the accuracy of species identification in the survey. A key factor here is that the

resolution required for individual species must recognise the identification capabilities of fishers,

from a lowest-common-denominator perspective. Although excellent reporting accuracy can be

achieved at the species level in some instances (confirmed through on-site surveys – Lyle and

Campbell, 1999; Lyle et al., 2002b), species groupings were required where fishers could not

reasonably be expected to delineate particular species, even with the aid of the Species

Identification Guide. For example, iconic species such as Snapper were readily recognisable,

whereas identification to the species level for bream or leatherjackets was not always

achievable. On the other hand, three key species of flathead (Dusky, Sand and Tiger) were

shown to be readily identified by diarists, with the aid of the Species Identification Guide – where

differences in the tail colours/patterns were clearly depicted.

For the purpose of reporting catches, individual species (e.g. Dusky Flathead and Sand Whiting)

have been used in many cases, with species groups in other cases (e.g. bream and

leatherjackets) and broad taxonomic groupings required in some instances (e.g. sharks and

rays). However, certain species or species groups were represented by very few records,

making it necessary to pool these into broader taxonomic categories for analysis (principally,

‘Scalefish, other’). Complete details of all taxa reported in catches and the relevant catch

analysis groupings are provided in Appendix 2.

Catches were reported as numbers of individuals kept or harvested and numbers released or

discarded by species. In some cases (mainly prawns and shrimp), respondents reported

catches in units of weight or volume and these were converted to numbers by application of

mean weight estimates for these species.

Data Expansion and Analysis

Data Expansion

Data analysis was based on a stratified random survey design using single stage cluster

sampling – with the household representing the primary sampling unit (PSU) and residents

within the household, the secondary sampling unit (SSU). In determining household and

individual expansion factors, an integrated approach was applied that adjusted for non-response

and calibrated against population benchmarks (Lyle et al., 2009a).

Adjustment for non-response at screening was partly based on fishing propensity determined

amongst households that refused to complete the screening interview, but at least answered the

question about whether or not household members had fished in the previous 12 months.

However, no such adjustment was required for the non-contact group, for which no significant

differences have been assessed in terms of fishing propensity. This was achieved through

analysis of the response group and the number of calls required to complete the interview, i.e.

participation rates did not change as the number of required calls increased (up to 15). Previous

non-response assessments and follow-up surveys have also confirmed these findings.

Calibration against ABS-based benchmark data as at June 2013 was implemented for residents

in each stratum, taking account of household and person-based demographics. The population

benchmarks required for the various state/territory-wide surveys since the NRFS were not

routinely published (nor available from ABS) and were constructed by consultant staff, using

data provided by ABS in various forms – namely for the current survey:

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

14 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

1) household and person estimates (by age group and sex) at the SA4 level for private

dwelling residents of NSW and the ACT, as at June 2011 (from customised tables

provided by ABS, based on the 2011 Census);

2) projected numbers of households as at June 2013 by state/territory and capital city

components from ABS publication, Catalogue No: 3236.0 (based on 2011 Census data

and published in March 2015);

3) changes in Estimated Resident Population (ERP) counts of persons (by age group and

sex) at the SA4 level for residents of NSW and the ACT, between June 2011 and June

2013 from ABS publications, Catalogue No’s: 3235.0 and 3101.0 (published in August

2014 and December 2014, respectively).

Using diary phase uptake and completion rates for eligible households, further non-response

adjustment was applied to expansion factors in calculating catch and effort information. This

adjustment was made sensitive to the avidity classification for the household (the maximum

avidity index for a member of the household determined at screening) and residential stratum.

Not all eligible fishers actually fished during the diary period and in the survey design these are

referred to as the unexpected ‘drop-outs’ from the fishery. In order to take account of

unexpected ‘drop-ins’ to the fishery, an additional adjustment was necessary and was based on

the Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey. This adjustment was made sensitive to the avidity

index reported for ‘drop-ins’ and residential stratum. A full account of the analytical process is

provided by Lyle et al. (2009a).

A final non-response adjustment was applied to expansion of results for the Wash-up/Attitudinal

Survey – despite very high response rates achieved among households completing the diary

phase. In the survey database and related outputs, this procedure has been referred to as the

Phase 3 calibration, with the screening and diary survey calibrations being Phases 1 and 2,

respectively.

Unless otherwise indicated, parameter estimates provided in this report are based on expanded

data, scaled-up to represent the population rather than the sample from which they were

derived.

Statistical Uncertainty

As discussed in ’Important Notes to the Reader’ (Page 3), all parameter estimates have some

statistical uncertainty and this can be expressed in terms of standard error (SE), which indicates

the extent to which the estimate might have varied from the true population value due to chance

and sampling of the population. There are about two chances in three (67%) that sample

estimates will vary by less than one SE and about 19 chances in 20 (95%) that the difference

from the true population value will be less than two SEs. It should be noted that as survey data

are disaggregated, for example by region or method, SEs expressed as a percentage of the

estimate (known as relative standard error or RSE) naturally increase and there may become a

point where the disaggregated estimates become unreliable.

In interpreting survey estimates, consideration needs to be given to: a) the magnitude of the

RSE; and b) the actual number of households that contributed records to the estimate.

Estimates with RSEs of 40% or greater (implying a 95% confidence range of around ± 80% or

higher) have been highlighted in the various tables and are regarded as imprecise. As a further

precaution, estimates derived from records involving fewer than 30 households have been

highlighted, since they may be particularly influenced by the activities of very few fishers.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

15 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Sample and Response Profiles

Screening Survey

Table 1 provides a summary of the numbers of private-dwelling households in NSW and the

ACT as at June 2013 (based on customised ABS Census and ERP data), along with sampling

details and response profiles relating to the Screening Survey. Since sampling was undertaken

without replacement for sample loss (e.g. disconnected numbers, non-private dwellings, etc), the

net sample was reduced from a gross sample of 14,908 to 12,461 – of which 9,412 households

(75.5%) fully responded to the Screening Survey. Response rates were generally lower in the

more densely populated strata. Overall, information on recreational fishing and demographic

profiling was collected for 22,041 residents aged five years and older.

Among the 2,447 cases of sample loss (Table 1), the vast majority (1,993 or 81%) referred to

disconnected telephone numbers, i.e. numbers that remained disconnected for the three month

period of the Screening Survey. Other forms of sample loss were: 117 business-only numbers;

35 non-private private dwellings or holiday homes; 173 permanent fax/email lines; and 129 non-

functioning/’dead’ telephone lines.

Non-responding households (3,049 in Table 1) accounted for 24.5% of the net sample and are

dissected as follows: 523 full refusals (4.2%); 1,064 part refusals (8.5%); 1,267 full non-contacts

(10.2%); 191 language/communication difficulties (1.5%); and 4 others (<1%). As noted in ’Data

Expansion’ (Page 13), any uncertainty in terms of recreational fishing participation is limited to a

minority of the non-response group and predominantly, the full refusals where the participation

rates of the part refusals were applied by stratum, in the analysis.

Table 1 NSW/ACT private dwelling population (number of households) as at June 2013, sample

size and sample loss/response profiles for the Screening Survey, by stratum.

Although sampling of the NSW Licence Frame (RFF) is the subject of separate analysis and

reporting (as discussed in ‘Recent Development Work by Fisheries NSW’, Page 2), sampling

and response profiles for the Screening Survey of NSW/ACT residents are summarised as

follows: an initial sample of 1,634 households; 204 sample loss; 1,430 net sample; 149 non-

Residential stratum

Total

households

Initial

sample

Sample

loss

Net

sample

Non-

response

Full

response

Respons

e rate

Sydney

1,713,988

4,746

800

3,946

1,294

2,652

67.2%

Hunter

242,864

1,448

193

1,255

252

1,003

79.9%

Illawarra

170,498

1,188

189

999

235

764

76.5%

Richmond/Tweed

98,349

1,059

187

872

169

703

80.6%

Mid North Coast

143,945

1,009

154

855

121

734

85.8%

Central West/North

154,988

1,210

229

981

208

773

78.8%

North West

46,963

1,053

197

856

154

702

82.0%

South East

88,608

836

125

711

149

562

79.0%

South West

107,975

1,080

186

894

173

721

80.6%

ACT

145,347

1,279

187

1,092

294

798

73.1%

Total

2,913,525

14,908

2,447

12,461

3,049

9,412

75.5%

Note:

Defined according to ABS Statistical Areas (SA4 level) - see ’Sampling Strata’ (Page 9) and

Figure 2

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

16 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

response; 1,281 full response; representing a response rate of 90%. Almost identical results

were achieved for the third sampling frame (i.e. Victorian residents in the NSW RFF) as follows:

an initial sample of 519 households; 67 sample loss; 452 net sample; 47 non-response; 405 full

response; representing a response rate of 90%.

Diary Survey

Table 2 summarises response profiles for the Diary Survey, with 2,008 households (21% of the

full response group at screening) identified as having at least one resident (aged five years and

older) with an intention to do some recreational fishing anywhere in Australia during the diary

period (June 2013 to May 2014). Of these eligible households, 1,802 (89.7%) agreed to take

part in the Diary Survey and among these, 1,681 (93.3%, or 83.7% among eligibles) fully

responded. Importantly, of the 121 households failing to complete the Diary Survey, only 11

declined to continue, 62 were ongoing non-contacts and the remaining 48 were disconnected

numbers or untraceable cases of re-locations.

In total, 1,681 NSW/ACT households, representing 4,433 residents aged five years and older,

completed the Diary Survey, with consistent response rates across all strata. Some 1,174 of

these households (70%) reported fishing activity during the diary period, comprising 2,028

fishers and a total of 11,801 person-based fishing events.

Overall, by comparison with other general population surveys and traditional mail-back diary

studies, the response rates achieved in all components of this study are exceptionally high and

provide an important performance indicator in terms of the efficacy of the survey instrument.

Table 2 Household response profiles for the Diary Survey, by stratum.

Residential

stratum

Full

response

screening

Eligible

for the

diary

survey

Diary

survey

uptake

Diary

survey

completed

Uptake

rate

(among

eligibles)

Completion

rate

(among

uptake)

Completion

rate

(among

eligibles)

Sydney

2,652

376

325

298

86.4%

91.7%

79.3%

Hunter

1,003

221

197

192

89.1%

97.5%

86.9%

Illawarra

764

201

182

173

90.5%

95.1%

86.1%

Richmond/Tweed

703

164

150

137

91.5%

91.3%

83.5%

Mid North Coast

734

187

172

164

92.0%

95.3%

87.7%

Cent. West/North

773

175

162

152

92.6%

93.8%

86.9%

North West

702

172

152

139

88.4%

91.4%

80.8%

South East

562

159

145

140

91.2%

96.6%

88.1%

South West

721

190

176

159

92.6%

90.3%

83.7%

ACT

798

163

141

127

86.5%

90.1%

77.9%

Total

9,412

2,008

1,802

1,681

89.7%

93.3%

83.7%

Comparable response profiles for sampling of the NSW Licence Frame (RFF) for the Diary

Survey of NSW/ACT residents are summarised as follows: 1,148 eligible households (90% of

1,281 fully responding at screening); 1,100 Diary Survey uptake; 1,019 Diary Survey completion;

representing a completion rate of 93% among the uptake group and 89% among eligible

households. A total of 810 households (79%) fished in the period, comprising 1,348 fishers

aged 5 years or more and a total of 10,497 person-based fishing events.

Equivalent results for the third sampling frame (i.e. Victorian residents in the NSW RFF) are as

follows: 373 eligible households (92% of 405 fully responding at screening); 345 Diary Survey

uptake; 310 Diary Survey completion; representing a completion rate of 90% among the uptake

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

17 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

group and 83% among eligible households. A total of 262 households (85%) fished in the

period, comprising 452 fishers aged 5 years or more and a total of 3,965 person-based fishing

events.

Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Survey

Response rates for this ‘call-back’ survey are presented in Table 3. Close to one third of the

7,404 households that indicated no intention to do any recreational fishing during the diary

period were selected at random and were followed up at the end of the diary period, to ascertain

whether any unexpected fishing had occurred. When sample loss (disconnected numbers,

different households, etc) is taken into account, an overall response rate of 84.9% was achieved

for this component of the study, again with consistently high response rates across residential

strata. Non-responding households (330 in Table 3) accounted for 15.1% of the net sample and

are dissected as follows: 50 full refusals (2.3%); 94 part refusals (4.3%); 167 full or part non-

contacts (7.7%); and 19 others (0.9%, mainly language/ communication difficulties). Within the

response group, 57 households (around 3%) were established as being different households to

those at the time of screening and were therefore excluded from the analysis. Among the

remainder, 80 households (4%) reported that at least one member had done some

(‘unexpected’) fishing during the diary period.

Table 3 Sample size (households) and sample loss/response profiles for the non-intending fisher

follow-up survey, by stratum.

Residential stratum

Initial

sample

Sample

loss

Net

sample

Non-

response

Full

response

Response

rate

Sydney

728

656

121

535

81.6%

Hunter

257

238

204

85.7%

Illawarra

186

171

150

87.7%

Richmond/Tweed

173

158

140

88.6%

Mid North Coast

182

159

131

82.4%

Central West/North

197

179

159

88.8%

North West

175

151

133

88.1%

South East

133

117

104

88.9%

South West

177

163

144

88.3%

ACT

207

189

151

79.9%

Total

2,415

234

2,181

330

1,851

84.9%

Non-intending Fisher Follow-up Surveys were also conducted for Screening Survey respondents

from both NSW RFF sampling frames, i.e. for NSW/ACT residents and Victorian residents.

However, the total number of non-intending fisher households from these frames was just 165

(<10% of full response at screening) and this is typical of licence frame sampling, where

naturally high levels of ‘intention to fish’ occur. Nevertheless, a stratified random sample of 70

such households was selected, with 55 fully-responding – representing a response rate of 83%,

after exclusion of sample loss (4 households).

Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey

By design, all 1,681 households completing the Diary Survey were included in the sample. No

sample loss was encountered and 1,607 households fully responded to the survey (95.6%).

Consistent response rates were achieved by stratum, but with slightly higher response rates for

fisher households (96.2%) than for non-fisher households (94.3%).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

18 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Non-response (74 households, 4.4%) is dissected as follows: 14 full or part refusals (0.8%); 38

full or part non-contacts, incl. several who had moved permanently overseas (2.3%); and 22

others (1.3%, mainly illness-related).

Very high response rates were also achieved for Wash-up/Attitudinal Surveys conducted among

diarists who completed the Diary Survey from both NSW RFF sampling frames – for

NSW/ACT residents, 98.1% of 1,019 diarist households and for Victorian residents, 97.1% of

310 households. Among the 28 non-responding households: 4 were full or part refusals; 16

were full or part non-contacts and the remainder were mainly illness-related.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

19 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fisher Characteristics

Information presented in this section is based on the Screening Survey and is reported as

expanded estimates, adjusted for non-response (after Lyle et al., 2009a) to represent the

resident population of NSW and the ACT aged five years and older, as at June 2013. Detailed

information about recreational fishing participation by age, gender and residential stratum is

provided in Appendix 1. Also, participation rates are provided in this report, i.e. where the

number of fishers is expressed as a percentage of the relevant population.

Fishing Participation

An estimated 849,249 (SE 27,639) NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older fished at least

once in Australian waters in the twelve months prior to June 2013, representing a participation

rate of 11.9% (SE 0.4%). The vast majority (98.5%) of these residents fished in NSW or ACT

waters during this time (836,632 residents; SE 27,456) representing a participation rate of 11.7%

(SE 0.4%). The remainder of this section focuses on this latter group, namely residents who

fished in NSW or ACT waters. While close to half (45%) of all recreational fishers resided in the

Sydney residential stratum, this also represented the lowest participation rate (8.6%; SE 0.5%)

(Figure 4). Participation rates in other strata ranged from 11.6% (SE 1.1%) in the ACT up to

20.7% (SE 1.9%) in the South East.

Figure 4 Estimated number (A) and proportion (B) of the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT in the 12 months prior to

June 2013 by stratum. Error bars represent one standard error and the dotted line

represents the participation rate for NSW/ACT as a whole.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

20 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Age and Gender

Recreational fishing was more popular among males, with a participation rate of 16.9% (SE

0.5%) compared with 6.6% (SE 0.3%) for females who fished in NSW or the ACT during the 12

months prior to June 2013 (Appendix 1). By numbers, 2.5 times as many males (597,270; SE

19,265) than females (239,361; SE 11,880) fished during that time. The predominance of males

involved in fishing, by number and participation rate, was evident across all age groups (Figure

5) and also by region of residence (Appendix 1).

In terms of age groups, the highest number of recreational fishers occurred in the 30-44 years

age group (217,639 persons; SE 11,493), with the lowest number in the 60 years plus age group

(101,659 persons; SE 5,386). The highest participation rate occurred in the 5-14 years age

group (19.6%; SE 1.1%), with the lowest rate in the 60 years plus age group (6.7%; SE 0.4%).

Also, when age group and gender are considered, the highest participation rate occurred among

males in the 5-14 years age group (24.0%; SE 1.5%), with the lowest rate among females in the

60 years plus age group (2.5%; SE 0.3%)

Figure 5 Estimated number (A) and proportion (B) of the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT in the 12 months prior to

June 2013 by age group and gender. Error bars represent one standard error.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

21 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fishing Effort

In this section, the fishing activities of respondents during the Diary Survey have been reported

as expanded estimates, adjusted for non-response (after Lyle et al., 2009a) to represent the

resident population of NSW and the ACT aged five years and older (as at June 2013) and their

fishing activities during the period June 2013 to May 2014.

Fishing effort can be expressed in various ways, including: the number of persons who fished at

least once; the total number of person days spent fishing (fisher days); actual time spent fishing

(fisher hours); or as fishing events (as defined in ‘Fishing Effort’, Page 12). However, ‘fisher

days’ has been the primary metric used in this section and various analyses have been included

in terms of fishing location (zone and water body type), fishing method, fishing platform and

seasonality.

Overview

An estimated 758,716 (SE 32,027) NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older fished at least

once in Australian waters during the 12 month diary period, representing a participation rate of

10.6% (SE 0.4%). The vast majority (97.3%) of these residents fished in NSW or ACT waters

during this time (738,447 residents; SE 31,494) representing a participation rate of 10.3% (SE

0.4%). Note: these estimates are based on resident population benchmarks as at June 2013 (as

for the Screening Survey), but are not directly comparable with results in ’Fisher Characteristics’

(Page 19) for several reasons. For example, population changes have not been accounted for

during the diary period and different reporting methods for fishing activity applied in the

Screening Survey (i.e. a recall basis), as opposed to the Diary Survey (i.e. longitudinal/diary

data).

The remainder of this section focuses on the fishing activities of residents who fished in NSW or

ACT waters during the diary period. However, comparable database information for interstate

fishing activities by NSW/ACT residents is also available for other jurisdictions (subject of

course, to standard error tolerances).

The estimated 738,447 NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older fished a total of 3,181,035

days during the 12 month period, at an average of 4.3 days per fisher. Overall, 27% of fishers

fished at least once in freshwater, while 84% fished at least once in saltwater – with 21% of the

effort (fisher days) in freshwater and 79% in saltwater (Table 4).

Table 4 Estimated number of persons and days fished by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and

older who fished in freshwater or saltwater in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. SE is

standard error.

Freshwater

Saltwater

Total

Effort Number SE Number SE Number SE

Persons 200,705 12,772 618,934 30,511 738,447 31,494

Fisher days 656,831 50,208 2,525,499 156,151 3,181,035 169,699

The majority (79%) of fishers reported fishing on 5 or less days in NSW/ACT waters during the

diary period (2013/14), with a further 13% fishing 6-10 days, 4% reporting 11-15 days and

slightly more than 1% reporting 16-20 days (Figure 6). Only 2% of fishers reported more than 20

days of fishing in the period. The highly skewed nature of fishing activity is further emphasised

when individual fishers are ranked in order of their annual fishing effort (fisher days) and the

cumulative effect of adding each fisher’s effort to the progressive total is assessed (Figure 7).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

22 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

This analysis revealed that 20% of fishers accounted for almost 60% of the total fishing effort.

Such a relationship is very common in other recreational fisheries and highlights the fact that a

relatively small number of recreational fishers have a disproportionately large impact in terms of

total effort and catch. Thus, minor shifts in the dynamics of participation (based on activity

levels) at the upper end of the fishery can be expected to have significant implications on effort

(and catch) levels on a state/territory-wide basis.

Figure 6 Distribution of fishing effort by annual days fished for the NSW/ACT resident population

aged five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14.

Figure 7 Relationship between the number of fishers and their cumulative fishing effort (days

fished) for NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older who fished recreationally in

NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Dotted lines indicate that 80% of the fishers accounted

for just over 40% of the total days fished.

1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 >30

% fishers

Days fished

100

0 20 40 60 80 100

Cumulative number fishers (% total)

Cumulative effort (% total days fished)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

23 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Water Body

The vast majority (79%) of recreational fishing activity in NSW and the ACT was concentrated in

marine waters – with estuaries accounting for over half (56% or 1,795,958 fisher days) of the

total effort, followed by inshore waters (< 5km from the coastline – 22% or 695,542 fisher days)

and offshore waters (> 5km – <2% or 54,773 fisher days) (Figure 8, Appendix 6). Fishing in

freshwater represented around 21% of total fishing effort (660,623 fisher days) – of which, more

than half occurred in rivers (359,490 fisher days), as opposed to lakes and dams (300,533 fisher

days).

Note: estuaries within NSW waters were defined according to Roy et al. (2001). This

classification system includes several large ocean embayments or semi-enclosed bays that are

characterized by marine waters with little fresh water inflow, e.g. Botany Bay, Jervis Bay,

Batemans Bay and Twofold Bay. Also estuaries such as the Hawkesbury River, Port Jackson

and Port Hacking have large entrances and tidal ranges making conditions in these areas similar

to the open ocean. There are strong links between the fauna of estuaries and inshore marine

waters, hence many apparently ‘marine’ species are commonly found within NSW estuaries.

Figure 8 Fishing effort (fisher days) by water body type for the NSW/ACT resident population aged

five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error

bars represent one standard error.

Fishing Platform

Overall, the majority (75%) of recreational fishers fished at least once from the shore during the

diary period, accounting for 59% of total fisher days during 2013/14 (Appendix 10) – with shore-

based fishing dissected as follows: estuaries at 31% of total effort, followed by inshore waters

(14%), then freshwater areas (12% in total) (Figure 9).

Shore-based fishing was also classified in terms of natural structures (e.g. beach, rocks and

river banks) and man-made structures (e.g. jetties, bridges, dam walls and breakwaters). A

majority of shore-based effort in the diary period occurred from natural shore areas (79%) as

opposed to man-made structures (21%) (Figure 10) – with very high proportions of natural shore

fishing in freshwater areas (98%) and ocean waters (93%), as opposed to estuarine waters

(65%) where man-made platforms are generally more common. Also, a further dissection of all

natural shore-based activity for ocean waters showed that a majority occurred on ocean

beaches (294,144 fisher days; SE 25,972), as opposed to rock fishing (135,045 fisher days; SE

25,972).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

24 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Over half (53%) of recreational fishers also fished at least once from a boat during the diary

period, accounting for 43% of total fisher days during 2013/14 (Appendix 10) – with boat-based

fishing dissected as follows: estuaries at 25% of total effort, followed by ocean waters (offshore

and inshore, 9% in total), then freshwater areas (8% in total) (Figure 9). Privately-owned boats

accounted for the vast majority (92%) of all boat-based fishing effort (fisher days), with hire boats

over 5% and charter boats 2%.

Figure 9 Fishing effort (fisher days) by water body type and fishing platform for the NSW/ACT

resident population aged five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the

ACT during 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error.

Figure 10 Shore-based fishing effort (fisher days) by water body and shore type (natural or man-

made) for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five years and older who fished

recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard

error.

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Fisher days (x000)

Boat

Shore

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Ocean Estuary Freshwater

Fisher days (x000)

Natural

Manmade

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

25 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fishing Method

Line fishing was by far the most common method used, with 99% of all NSW/ACT fishers using

lines (bait and/or artificial lures and jigs) at least once during 2013/14, accounting for 93% of all

fisher days (Figure 11, Appendix 8). Line fishing with bait accounted for a majority (71%) of all

fisher days, with lure and jig fishing at 22% of the total. Of the remainder, other/hand-collecting

methods accounted for 3% of all fisher days, followed by pot/trap fishing (2%), diving methods

(1%) and various types of net (mainly scoop nets) (1%).

Figure 11 Fishing effort (fisher days) by fishing method for the NSW/ACT resident population aged

five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error

bars represent one standard error.

Fishing Zones

The vast majority of fishing effort (84% of total fisher days) occurred in the six coastal fishing

zones, each of which ranges from the EEZ boundary in ocean waters through to estuarine and

freshwater catchments on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range (Figure 12 and

Appendix 13). Among these zones, the Mid South Coast accounted for the highest proportion

(22%) of total fisher days, followed by Sydney (19%), the Hunter (15%), Mid North Coast (14%),

North Coast (10%) and South Coast (4%). Among the inland fishing zones, the Murray/South

West accounted for 10% of total fisher days, followed by the Darling/North West (6%) and the

much smaller ACT (<1%). Note: these areas are defined in ‘Fishing Zones’ (Page 11), along

with a detailed map in Figure 3.

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Line Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Fisher days (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

26 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 12 Fishing effort (fisher days) by fishing zone for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Standard

errors (SEs) are provided in Appendix 13.

Seasonality of Fishing Activity

The summer period (December 2013 to February 2014) accounted for a third (33%) of total

fishing days in the diary period, followed by autumn (March to May 2014 – 25%), spring

(September to November 2013 – 23%) and winter (June to August 2013 – 19%) (Figure 13,

Appendix 12). Also, holiday periods within each season had a notable impact, where 48% of all

fisher days in summer occurred in January, 49% of autumn fisher days in April, but to a lesser

extent in spring and winter (37% for both September and July, respectively) (Figure 14).

Figure 13 Fishing effort (fisher days) by season for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five

years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error.

10%

14%

15%

22%

19%

<1%

10%

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Winter Spring Summer Autumn

Fisher days (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

27 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 14 Fishing effort (fisher days) by month for the NSW/ACT resident population aged five years

and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT during 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error.

2013 2014

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

28 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Catch

In this section, catches by respondents during the Diary Survey are reported as expanded

estimates, adjusted for non-response (after Lyle et al., 2009a) of the numbers of aquatic

organisms taken by the resident population of NSW and ACT aged five years and older (as at

June 2013), from their recreational fishing activity during the period June 2013 to May 2014.

Catches have been analysed in terms of: the numbers kept and released; the reasons for

release; species targeting; the location of the fishing activity (water body type); fishing method

and fishing platform. Also, some 23 species/groups have been separately assessed in ’Key

Species’ (Page 40), with details for the various fishing zones provided in ’Regional Fisheries’

(Page 64).

Recreational fishers captured a diverse range of scalefish, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays),

crustaceans, molluscs, and other taxa. A detailed listing of some 132 species and species

groupings is provided in Appendix 2. However, for effective analysis and reporting, some

species have been grouped (typically at the family level) – in recognition that fishers could not

reasonably be expected to delineate to the species level due to taxonomic similarities, and also

in cases where particular species were rarely reported. For practical purposes, most analyses in

this section refer to 45 key species/groups and a listing of the taxa that comprise each of these

groups is provided in Appendix 2.

Total Catch, Harvest and Release

For recreational fisheries assessment, total catch is generally divided into the component that is

kept or harvested (i.e. not returned to the water) and that which is released (i.e. returned to the

water whether alive or not). The harvested component may be used for a variety of purposes,

most commonly for consumption or for use as bait. The reasons for releasing or discarding

catch may include adherence to regulations (e.g. size and bag limits), ethical reasons (e.g. catch

and release fishing) or undesirability (e.g. poor eating quality, damaged or diseased). Catch

estimates are provided in detail in Appendix 2 and for the key species/groups in Table 5. Note:

a standard format for catch results has been applied throughout this report, namely where the

total catch (kept and released) is reported first, followed by the harvest/kept component, then the

released component (see Table 5).

All catch estimates in this report refer to fishing activity by residents in NSW and ACT waters

during the diary period. However, comparable database information for interstate fishing

activities by NSW/ACT residents is available for other jurisdictions (subject of course, to

standard error tolerances).

Overall, an estimated total catch of 14,059,634 organisms occurred in NSW/ACT waters, where

more than half (7,843,644) were retained and the remainder (6,215,990) were released or

discarded. Fish (scalefish, sharks and rays) dominated the catch, accounting for 75% of the

total numbers (10,562,697), followed by crustaceans (2,988,026), worms (262,178) cephalopods

(136,363), molluscs (109,295) and other taxa (1,074).

Among the saltwater finfish species, bream was the most common species group caught by

NSW/ACT recreational fishers, with an estimated total catch of 2,205,656. Flathead species,

(Dusky, Sand and Tiger) accounted for a similar total (2,103,835), followed by Snapper

(755,350), the whiting species (Sand, School and Trumpeter – 733,620), Luderick (428,213) and

Tailor (363,147). Apart from ‘Other small baitfish’, the estimated total catch for every other

saltwater finfish species/group did not exceed 200,000 for the 12 month period (Table 5).

In terms of freshwater finfish species, European Carp (500,164) dominated the total catch,

followed by Australian Bass (195,802), Murray Cod (165,557), trout (Brown and Rainbow –

157,975), with Golden Perch and Redfin Perch at slightly lower levels (Table 5).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

29 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

The non-fish species component of the total catch was dominated by crustaceans and in

particular, the smaller species such as saltwater nippers (a popular bait – 1,415,852), followed

by saltwater prawns (728,843) and freshwater shrimp (409,711). Among the larger crustaceans,

freshwater yabbies (275,108) dominated the catch, followed by Blue Swimmer Crabs (73,501),

Mud Crabs (48,634) and rock lobsters (26,507). Excluding key bait species, such as Pipis and

worms, the remainder of the non-fish species catch was mainly the various squid species

(111,799) (Table 5).

In total, 4,629,189 finfish were retained, indicating a harvest rate of less than half (44%) of the

total catch. Among saltwater finfish, the flathead group dominated the retained catch (961,344),

followed by bream (614,434), the whiting species (376,044), ‘Other small baitfish’ (313,551),

Luderick (250,074), Tailor (189,614) and Snapper (185,590). European Carp (498,735)

dominated the retained catch of freshwater finfish, followed by trout (107,819) and Golden Perch

(76,529) (Table 5).

Among other key taxa, significant numbers of freshwater yabbies (239,938) were harvested,

followed by squid (105,308), Blue Swimmer Crabs (50,637), Mud Crabs (30,052), rock lobsters

(23,216) and abalone (18,423). Among the smaller species, such as nippers, prawns, shrimp

and worms, substantial numbers were harvested during the 12 month period (Table 5).

Overall, 5,933,508 finfish were released, representing a majority (56%) of the total catch, with

varying release rates depending upon species (Table 5). The highest rates of release (>75%)

were evident for species such as Australian Bass, Mulloway, Murray Cod, Red Rock Cod,

sharks and rays, Snapper and wrasse/gropers (Table 6). The lowest rates of release (<25%)

occurred for Blue Mackerel, European Carp, tunas, Trumpeter Whiting, rock lobster, prawns,

shrimp, freshwater yabbies, squid and abalone (Table 6).

Note: in Table 5 overleaf, the 45 key species/groups have been presented in order of: (i) key

saltwater finfish species/groups, including sharks and rays; then (ii) other saltwater finfish

predominantly used as bait; (iii) key freshwater finfish species; (iv) scalefish, other – all other

saltwater and freshwater finfish species (see Appendix 2); (v) crustaceans; (vi) cephalopods; (vii)

molluscs; (viii) worms; and (ix) other taxa.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

30 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 5 Annual catch (total, kept and released numbers) and proportion released of key species in

NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by residents aged five years and older. SE is standard

error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer

than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Total

Kept

Released

Species/group

Number

released

Bream

2,205,656

299,714

614,434

107,686

1,591,221

246,909

72.1

Flathead, Dusky

1,058,613

132,768

481,164

63,864

577,448

82,707

54.5

Flathead, Sand

962,892

181,433

440,763

98,777

522,129

89,480

54.2

Flathead, Tiger

82,330

31,558

39,417

14,738

42,913

19,117

52.1

Leatherjacket

116,622

26,752

71,269

21,133

45,353

11,091

38.9

Luderick

428,213

186,579

250,074

102,050

178,139

90,456

41.6

Mulloway

111,573

35,512

21,361

4,481

90,211

34,588

80.9

Red Rock Cod

151,531

34,435

6,430

3,022

145,100

33,952

95.8

Salmon, Australian

144,706

27,036

73,535

17,779

71,171

17,321

49.2

Sharks and rays

108,938

19,326

5,282

1,464

103,656

18,959

95.2

Silver Trevally

87,501

23,509

49,081

17,410

38,420

8,952

43.9

Snapper

755,350

144,387

185,590

29,943

569,760

135,449

75.4

Swallowtail Dart

118,935

39,889

43,275

18,872

75,661

25,676

63.6

Tailor

363,147

59,901

189,614

40,826

173,533

32,817

47.8

Tunas

57,047

28,585

46,333

24,191

10,714

4,953

18.8

Whiting, Sand

568,827

111,478

247,470

56,795

321,357

68,607

56.5

Whiting, School

11,807

4,278

4,995

2,078

6,813

2,645

57.7

Whiting, Trumpeter

152,986

104,916

123,580

100,107

29,406

18,174

19.2

Wrasse/gropers

111,800

34,111

19,303

6,674

92,497

32,607

82.7

Yellowtail Kingfish

96,115

29,791

35,134

13,720

60,981

22,968

63.4

Blue Mackerel

137,119

37,988

125,129

37,285

11,990

3,785

8.7

Mullet

98,859

26,572

71,725

21,899

27,134

11,388

27.4

Yellowtail Scad

143,230

41,272

90,182

33,361

53,048

19,684

37.0

Other small baitfish

318,010

150,408

313,551

150,072

4,459

3,320

1.4

Australian Bass

195,802

62,660

11,305

3,690

184,497

60,569

94.2

European Carp

500,164

84,945

498,735

84,914

1,428

1,074

0.3

Golden Perch

142,601

18,752

76,529

11,117

66,072

10,703

46.3

Murray Cod

165,557

29,865

20,816

4,383

144,741

28,013

87.4

Redfin Perch

136,279

52,588

44,426

14,649

91,853

47,557

67.4

Trout

157,975

38,760

107,819

32,450

50,156

10,846

31.7

Scalefish, other

872,515

108,496

320,868

52,788

551,647

70,964

63.2

Blue Swimmer Crab

73,501

20,944

50,637

14,220

22,864

9,014

31.1

Mud Crab

48,634

14,075

30,052

8,865

18,582

6,325

38.2

Rock lobster

26,507

14,273

23,216

12,501

3,291

2,798

12.4

Prawns (saltwater)

728,843

426,343

724,756

426,343

4,087

2,861

0.6

Shrimp (freshwater)

409,711

148,424

330,025

108,398

79,686

62,268

19.4

Nippers (saltwater)

1,415,852

403,605

1,319,066

367,909

96,787

71,069

6.8

Yabbies (freshwater)

275,108

92,992

239,838

89,047

35,270

18,012

12.8

Crustaceans, other

9,870

6,616

9,048

6,576

821

587

8.3

Squids

111,799

53,498

105,308

51,757

6,491

4,737

5.8

Cephalopods, other

24,564

14,173

13,136

9,871

11,428

4,889

46.5

Abalone

18,843

11,735

18,423

11,718

421

413

2.2

Pipis

90,452

31,719

87,760

31,272

2,692

2,653

3.0

Worms

262,178

94,992

262,178

94,992

0.0

Other taxa

1,074

1,004

1,013

1,002

5.7

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

31 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 6 Comparative summary of the proportion of the total catch of key species in NSW/ACT

waters during 2013/14 that was released by residents aged five years and older.

Proportion released

> 75%

51-75%

25-50%

< 25%

Australian Bass

Bream

Golden Perch

Blue Mackerel

Mulloway

Flathead, Dusky

Leatherjacket

European Carp

Murray Cod

Flathead, Sand

Luderick

Tunas

Red Rock Cod

Flathead, Tiger

Mullet

Whiting, Trumpeter

Sharks and rays

Redfin Perch

Salmon, Australian

Rock lobster

Snapper

Swallowtail Dart

Silver Trevally

Prawns (saltwater)

Wrasse/gropers

Whiting, Sand

Tailor

Shrimp (freshwater)

Whiting, School

Trout

Yabbies (freshwater)

Yellowtail Kingfish

Yellowtail Scad

Abalone

Blue Swimmer Crab

Squids

Mud Cab

Reasons for Release

The reasons why fish and other species are released cover a range of factors and motivations.

To assess this issue, respondents were asked (through careful, ‘neutral’ questioning) their

reasons for release and the numbers of each species, to which the particular reason applied for

each fishing event. This approach recognised that different reasons can apply to the numbers

released of a given species in a fishing event. Based on terminology used by the respondent,

the following release categories were identified and applied: ‘too small’ – that is, too small to be

retained (but not necessarily due to size limit regulations); ‘undersized’ – implying some

knowledge and adherence to size limit regulations; ‘too many’ – that is, in excess of personal

needs (but not necessarily due to bag limits); ‘over bag limit’ – implying some knowledge and

adherence to bag/possession limit regulations; ‘catch and release’ – a voluntary release ethic

associated with sportfishing (with no inference about fish size); ‘berried female’ – any egg-

bearing female crabs or other crustaceans; ‘unwanted’ – cases where the species was

considered by the respondent to be poor eating quality, including toxic/poisonous species (e.g.

toads and pufferfish). ‘Other’ reasons for release include: damaged; personal conservation of

certain species; and ‘too few’ – cases where the respondent was not catching enough (to keep

any at all). Note: by definition, any release of prohibited or threatened species was routinely

classified as ‘over the bag limit’ (i.e. a bag limit of zero).

Analysis of reasons for release for key species groups is presented in Table 7. Small size

(either ‘too small’ or ‘under-sized’), was the primary reason for release for over two-thirds of all

species groups and especially for major ‘table’ species, such as bream, flathead, whiting, key

freshwater finfish, various crustaceans and squid. Large catches (‘too many’ or ‘over bag limit’)

were the primary release reason for freshwater shrimp and various small bait species. ‘Catch

and release’ emerged as the primary release reason for Australian Salmon, and Australian Bass,

with ‘un-wanted’ the main reason for Red Rock Cod, sharks and rays and various other

scalefish.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

32 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 7 Reasons for release - proportions (%) of total numbers of key species released in

NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by residents aged five years and older. Values in bold

indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households

recorded catches of the species.

Total

number

released

Reason for release (%)

Species/group

Too

small

Under-

sized

Too

many

Over

bag

limit

Catch

release

Berried

female

Un-

wanted

Other

Bream

1,591,221

40.0

42.0

2.3

14.3

1.3

0.1

Flathead, Dusky

577,448

33.9

44.2

4.3

3.7

11.2

1.8

0.8

Flathead, Sand

522,129

35.7

58.4

1.5

0.3

3.8

0.3

0.1

Flathead, Tiger

42,913

15.1

70.6

13.0

1.3

Leatherjacket

45,353

29.9

31.9

1.2

1.9

35.2

Luderick

178,139

14.6

68.1

14.6

2.1

0.5

Mulloway

90,211

34.6

46.7

5.4

12.0

1.1

Red Rock Cod

145,100

9.8

12.2

0.0

2.4

75.6

Salmon, Australian

71,171

4.9

21.7

12.3

2.0

40.2

18.7

0.2

Sharks and rays

103,656

7.8

0.9

0.2

18.1

72.2

Silver Trevally

38,420

14.5

35.8

17.4

5.2

10.1

17.0

Snapper

569,760

43.1

52.0

2.3

0.2

2.1

0.2

Swallowtail Dart

75,661

35.3

13.6

22.2

0.6

28.3

Tailor

173,533

33.2

40.8

8.1

1.3

13.8

2.7

0.1

Tunas

10,714

3.5

45.8

33.6

8.8

8.3

Whiting, Sand

321,357

31.4

53.2

1.6

13.2

0.3

0.2

Whiting, School

6,813

32.3

67.7

Whiting, Trumpeter

29,406

48.5

50.6

0.9

Wrasse/gropers

92,497

5.3

37.0

4.0

0.3

11.7

41.7

Yellowtail Kingfish

60,981

29.1

68.8

0.3

1.2

0.5

Blue Mackerel

11,990

9.9

11.2

42.2

7.9

28.8

Mullet

27,134

1.0

66.2

20.8

10.6

1.4

Yellowtail Scad

53,048

4.6

30.8

18.5

6.3

22.9

16.8

Other small baitfish

4,459

72.2

27.8

Australian Bass

184,497

3.1

5.7

4.1

85.4

1.8

European Carp

1,428

31.2

68.8

Golden Perch

66,072

30.5

27.8

12.0

29.4

0.4

Murray Cod

144,741

9.4

49.7

2.5

28.9

9.4

0.1

Redfin Perch

91,853

14.1

6.7

6.9

66.1

6.2

Trout

50,156

27.9

37.1

6.6

28.1

0.3

Scalefish, other

551,647

16.3

26.6

6.4

0.8

5.8

44.1

0.0

Blue Swimmer Crab

22,864

61.8

14.1

2.0

20.7

1.5

Mud Crab

18,582

29.0

48.8

10.4

11.7

Rock lobster

3,291

15.6

84.4

Prawns (saltwater)

4,087

100.0

Shrimp (freshwater)

79,686

2.7

87.4

7.2

2.7

Nippers (saltwater)

96,787

71.1

1.9

27.0

Yabbies (freshwater)

35,270

48.2

26.5

3.4

21.9

Crustaceans, other

821

32.7

67.3

Squids

6,491

78.4

4.1

17.5

Cephalopods, other

11,428

36.3

27.4

36.3

Abalone

421

100.0

Pipis

2,692

100.0

Worms

100.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

33 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Targeted Fishing

Respondents were routinely asked whether they were fishing for particular species or not,

thereby enabling the effort and catch for each fishing event to be classified as being either

targeted or non-targeted. Respondents were asked to nominate up to two target species for

each event and thus, any resultant catch could be classified as targeted and non-targeted

components. However, in many cases, more general targets were reported, e.g. ‘reef fishing’ or

in the case of spearfishing and other diving, opportunistic catches were fairly common. An

understanding of targeted fishing behaviour provides insight into the level of specialisation and

value that recreational fishers attribute to particular species, as well as providing meaningful

measures of fishing success.

Targeted and non-targeted catch estimates by species are provided in Appendices 3 and 4 and

the proportion of the total catch attributed to targeted effort is summarised in Table 8 for key

species/groups. Overall, 62% of the total catch of all species was attributed to targeted fishing

effort. Of the key recreational species, the vast majority (>90%) of the Mud Crab and trout

catches were derived from targeted fishing effort, along with close to 100% for prawns, shrimp

and freshwater yabbies (Table 8; Appendix 3). By contrast, species such as European Carp,

Red Rock Cod and sharks/rays were quite rarely targeted (<20%) implying that catches of these

species were mostly incidental. However, for the majority of all key species, greater than half of

the total catch was attributed to targeted fishing effort (Table 8).

Table 8 Comparative summary of the proportion of the recreational catch (kept and released) of

key species that was taken by targeted effort in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by

residents aged five years and older.

Proportion of the total catch targeted

< 20%

21-50%

51-70%

71-90%

> 90%

European Carp

Abalone

Bream

Australian Bass

Mud Crab

Leatherjacket

Blue Mackerel

Flathead, Dusky

Blue Swimmer Crab

Trout

Red Rock Cod

Mullet

Flathead, Sand

Golden Perch

Prawns (saltwater)

Sharks and rays

Salmon, Australian

Flathead, Tiger

Luderick

Shrimp (freshwater)

Silver Trevally

Snapper

Mulloway

Murray Cod

Yabbies (freshwater)

Whiting, School

Swallowtail Dart

Rock lobster

Redfin Perch

Wrasse/gropers

Tailor

Whiting, Sand

Squids

Yellowtail Scad

Yellowtail Kingfish

Tunas

Whiting, Trumpeter

Harvest Weights

Catch information reported during the Diary Survey was based on the numbers of fish kept or

released, rather than the weight of fish caught, since this information tends to be less reliable

when self-reported by recreational fishers. However, the weight of the recreational harvest is of

particular interest to resource managers, scientists and the various stakeholder groups. From a

stock assessment perspective, estimates of recreational harvest weights enable comparison

with the commercial sector, for which production is routinely reported by weight.

Recreational harvest weight estimates can be obtained for a given species by multiplying the

number of individual fish caught (and kept) by the average weight of an individual, using size

data from various fisheries datasets. However, individual species can vary by size over a range

of temporal and spatial scales. Fishing methods and skills can also have an impact here, as well

as size-selectivity differences between commercial and recreational fisheries. Ideally all of these

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

34 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

factors should be taken into account when calculating average species weights. However, this

is rarely the case and the application of an average individual weight introduces additional

uncertainty to recreational harvest weight estimates, i.e. additional to the standard errors already

provided for harvest numbers. Furthermore, any grouping of species for reporting purposes can

confound this issue, due to variations in size among the species within the group.

This uncertainty can be reduced if ‘off-site’ diary surveys are supplemented by parallel ‘on-site’

monitoring programmes to collect accurate length data from recreational fishers – from a range

of locations and with strong temporal coverage. However, this was beyond the scope of the

2013/14 survey and in the absence of such data, it was decided to access a range of existing

data sources to approximate the average size of key species retained by recreational fishers.

These data sources were restricted to more recent on-site surveys within NSW for both

estuarine and marine environments (Murray-Jones and Steffe, 2000; Reid and Montgomery,

2005; Steffe and Murphy, 2011; Ochwada-Doyle et al., 2014).

As detailed in Appendix 5, separate calculations (mean weights) were applied to species caught

within estuaries and marine waters, due to the different size structures that can occur in each

case. Where recreational data were available, length/weight relationships have been used to

derive mean weights and these have been applied to survey harvest numbers to estimate total

harvest weights. Weight estimates for the commercial sector were obtained from reported

landings by NSW commercial fisheries. However, in cases where inadequate recreational

length data were available, mean weights were applied from the commercial fisheries data.

Table 9 presents ten selected species for weight comparisons between the recreational and

commercial fishery sectors. This list is restricted to species of key interest to commercial and

recreational fisheries management and also where harvest estimates from the survey were

considered sufficiently robust, i.e. the state-wide estimate for the kept component of the catch

had an RSE <40% and a minimum of 30 households reported the catch (refer Table 5).

For all the above reasons, it is strongly recommended that the recreational harvest weights in

this report be regarded as indicative only.

The results in Table 9 show that a majority of the total harvest weight in 2013/14 was attributable

to recreational fishing for five of the ten species – with over 71% of the total harvest for Dusky

Flathead, followed by Sand Flathead (> 67%), Mulloway and Tailor (both > 63%) and Yellowtail

Kingfish (> 52%). Bream, Sand Whiting and Snapper comprised less than half the total catch

(ranging from 49% down to 40%, respectively – with substantially lower proportions for

Australian Salmon (15%) and Silver Trevally (14%).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

35 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 9 Harvest of key species in NSW waters by NSW/ACT residents, aged five years and older -

indicative estimates of the total weight (tonnes), compared with estimates for the

commercial fisheries sector during 2013/14.

Total (tonnes) %

Species/group Recreational Commercial Total recreational

Bream

330

343

672

49.1

Flathead, Dusky

288

115

404

71.4

Flathead, Sand

210

101

311

67.5

Mulloway

103

162

63.5

Salmon,

Australian

182 1,112 1,294 14.1

Silver Trevally

168

195

13.9

Snapper

148

220

368

40.2

Tailor

107

169

63.5

Whiting, Sand

148

46.5

Yellowtail Kingfish

120

109

229

52.5

Catch by Water Body

Catch details by water body type are provided in Appendices 6 and 7 and summarised for key

fish species in Figure 15. Of the total catch (kept and released) of all organisms taken by

NSW/ACT recreational fishers during 2013/14, a majority (59%) occurred in estuarine waters,

followed by inshore coastal waters (< 5 km; 23%), rivers (10%), lakes/dams (5%), and offshore

waters (3%).

In offshore waters (> 5 km), sand flathead were the main species caught and comprised 32% of

the total catch in that water body, followed by Snapper (14%), Yellowtail Kingfish (7%), Red

Rock Cod (5%) and a range of other species (at < 3% in each case) (Figure 15). Sand Flathead

were also the main species caught (20%) in inshore waters (< 5km), followed by bream (8%),

Snapper (7%), Tailor (6%) and a range of others species (at < 4% in each case).

In estuarine waters, bream were the main species caught (24%), followed by Dusky Flathead

(12%), prawns (9%, by numbers), Snapper (6%), Sand Whiting (6%) and a range of other

species (at < 4% in each case) (Fig 15). Note: refer earlier discussion in ‘Water Body’ (Page

23), regarding definitions of estuaries and the inclusion of large open bays, e.g. Batemans Bay

and Jervis Bay.

In freshwater rivers, European Carp (32%) was the main species caught, followed by shrimp

(27%, by numbers), Murray Cod (11%), yabbies (7%), Australian Bass and Golden Perch (at 6%

each) and all species at 3% or less (Fig 15). In freshwater lakes and dams, yabbies (25%) were

the main species caught, followed by trout (18%), Australian Bass (15%), Redfin Perch (13%),

Golden Perch and European Carp (at 9% each) and all other species at less than 5% each

(Figure 15).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

36 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 15 Catch estimates (kept and released) of key species by residents aged five years and older

in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by water body. Error bars represent one standard

error.

100

120

140

160

180

200

Catch (x000)

Offshore

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Catch (x000)

Inshore

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Catch (x000)

Estuary

100

200

300

400

500

600

Catch (x000)

Rivers

100

150

200

250

300

Catch (x000)

Lake/Dam

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

37 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Catch by Method

Catch details by fishing method are provided in Appendices 8 and 9 and summarised for key

species in Figure 16. Overall, line fishing accounted for a majority (76%) of the total catch (kept

and released) of all organisms taken by NSW/ACT recreational fishers during 2013/14. Other

methods (primarily hand collecting, digging and pumping for small bait species) contributed a

further 13%, followed by nets (6%), pots and traps (5%) and diving (1%).

Fish accounted for the vast majority of the line catch, with bream (21%) the main species caught

by that method (Figure 16). Other species of significance included Dusky Flathead, (10%), Sand

Flathead (9%), Snapper (7%), Sand Whiting (5%) and a range of others species (at < 4% in

each case). Smaller crustacean species dominated the catch (by numbers) taken by pots and

traps (i.e. shrimp and yabbies), also by nets (mainly prawns) (Figure 16). In terms of diving, rock

lobster and abalone are prime targets and dominated the catch (Figure 16).

Figure 16 Catch estimates (kept and released) of key species by residents aged five years and older

in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14, by fishing method. Error bars represent one

standard error.

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Catch (x000)

Line

100

200

300

400

500

600

Catch (x000)

Pot/trap

Catch (x000)

Dive

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Catch (x000)

Net

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

38 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Line Fishing

Line fishing is practised using either baited hooks, artificial lures (hard body lures and soft

plastics) or flies and each line fishing event in the Diary Survey was further defined in terms of

whether bait or lures/flies were used. However, because some fishing events involved the use

of both modes, separate catch details were often not achievable – hence a third code (‘both’)

was applied. The relative importance of either bait or lure/fly fishing for many key fish species

has been assessed in Table 10. Bait fishing represented the primary capture mode for the vast

majority (over 80%) of these species, whereas lure/fly fishing was the main method for only five

species/groups: Australian Bass, Redfin Perch, trout, tunas and ‘other small baitfish’. However,

the popularity of lure/fly fishing has increased over the years, as has its significance in terms of

total catch (see further discussion in ‘Fishing Effort’, Page 88).

Table 10 Annual recreational catch (kept and released numbers) of key fish species in NSW/ACT

waters by line fishing mode during 2013/14 and proportions taken by bait or lure/fly, by

residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded

catches of the species.

Bait

Lure/fly

Both

% Bait

only

% Lure

only

Species/group

Number

Bream

1,907,047

287,850

144,869

46,651

150,290

32,011

86.6

6.6

Flathead, Dusky

630,192

79,632

326,404

88,642

100,792

21,102

59.6

30.9

Flathead, Sand

817,156

172,937

15,895

8,007

126,961

35,205

85.1

1.7

Flathead, Tiger

70,044

30,222

12,285

8,735

85.1

0.0

Leatherjacket

93,656

19,322

309

284

4,532

1,974

95.1

0.3

Luderick

405,420

186,178

2,763

1,836

10,090

5,469

96.9

0.7

Mulloway

94,255

34,833

12,361

4,594

4,957

1,907

84.5

11.1

Red Rock Cod

115,624

31,314

3,674

2,567

32,234

9,101

76.3

2.4

Salmon, Australian

103,880

21,545

29,401

11,784

11,236

5,281

71.9

20.3

Sharks and rays

89,565

17,221

5,507

2,208

13,840

8,306

82.2

5.1

Silver Trevally

66,672

18,807

4,771

2,294

15,963

6,910

76.3

5.5

Snapper

549,410

94,831

23,980

12,258

181,405

96,843

72.8

3.2

Swallowtail Dart

117,825

39,873

1,111

1,101

99.1

0.0

Tailor

244,642

46,230

83,712

28,319

34,537

10,450

67.4

23.1

Tunas

17,262

6,024

35,091

23,646

4,695

1,568

30.3

61.5

Whiting, Sand

509,007

101,816

35,332

17,483

24,368

8,723

89.5

6.2

Whiting, School

11,018

4,240

287

283

502

495

93.3

2.4

Whiting, Trumpeter

84,819

49,682

35,621

35,660

32,546

25,305

55.4

23.3

Wrasse/gropers

75,370

20,108

14,462

13,337

21,386

14,065

67.8

13.0

Yellowtail Kingfish

59,453

20,544

20,162

9,124

16,309

8,481

62.0

21.0

Blue Mackerel

109,195

34,721

9,209

4,547

18,716

9,641

79.6

6.7

Mullet

67,936

21,508

5,375

3,946

7,896

4,920

83.7

6.6

Yellowtail Scad

99,102

30,032

9,500

4,276

34,628

22,952

69.2

6.6

Other small baitfish

115,390

66,350

159,967

99,803

42,654

32,719

36.3

50.3

Australian Bass

50,468

27,559

139,826

52,980

5,507

5,446

25.8

71.4

European Carp

377,459

73,963

12,367

5,158

108,218

31,488

75.8

2.5

Golden Perch

87,360

13,561

34,260

9,276

20,863

5,513

61.3

24.0

Murray Cod

106,908

20,992

25,232

7,261

33,358

13,006

64.6

15.2

Redfin Perch

59,949

38,333

61,683

35,193

14,647

6,708

44.0

45.3

Trout

12,223

4,502

128,580

36,821

17,173

6,139

7.7

81.4

Scalefish, other

693,209

90,417

42,261

11,057

110,468

23,662

81.9

5.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

39 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Catch by Fishing Platform

Catch details by fishing platform are provided in Appendices 10 and 11 and summarised in

Table 11. Overall, boat-based and shore-based fishing accounted for equal proportions (50%

each) of the total catch (kept and released) of all organisms taken by NSW/ACT recreational

fishers during 2013/14. However, the proportions varied considerably between species

(Appendix 10) and a summary assessment of key species for boat-based fishing is provided

below (Table 11).

Table 11 Comparative summary of the proportion of the total recreational catch (kept and released)

of key species taken in NSW/ACT waters by boat-based fishing during 2013/14, by

residents aged five years and older.

Proportion of catch - boat-based

< 30%

31-50%

51-70%

71-90%

> 90%

Salmon, Australian

Bream

Leatherjacket

Flathead, Dusky

Flathead, Tiger

Swallowtail Dart

Luderick

Sharks and rays

Flathead, Sand

Whiting, Trumpeter

Mullet

Tailor

Silver Trevally

Mulloway

Yellowtail Kingfish

European Carp

Whiting, Sand

Tunas

Red Rock Cod

Blue Mackerel

Rock lobster

Mud Crab

Whiting, School

Snapper

Shrimp (freshwater)

Prawns (saltwater)

Wrasse/gropers

Yellowtail Scad

Yabbies (freshwater)

Golden Perch

Australian Bass

Abalone

Murray Cod

Redfin Perch

Trout

Squids

Blue Swimmer Crab

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

40 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Key Species

In the following section, some 23 key species/groups have been described in terms of: the

regional distribution of the total catch by fishing zone (Appendix 13); numbers kept and released

(Table 5); then total catch by fishing platform (Appendix 10), water body type (Appendix 6),

fishing method (Appendix 8, and Table 10) and season (Appendix 12).

Catch information was provided by fishers during the Diary Survey and is presented as

expanded estimates of the total catch by the resident population of NSW and the ACT aged five

years and older (as at June 2013) and their recreational fishing activity during the period June

2013 to May 2014.

Note: the species/groups included in this section refer to those with relatively large total catch

estimates for the period. However, species have routinely been excluded from this analysis,

where the RSE for the total catch estimate is greater than 40% or where the results were

provided by less than 30 households (refer Table 5). For example, the total catch estimate for

Luderick was quite large (428,213) and a relatively large number of households provided the

data. However among these, a small number of diarists reported very high annual/raw data

catches resulting in a greater than 40% RSE for the total catch. Similarly, the total catch

estimate for Trumpeter Whiting was 152,986, however the RSE was greater than 40% and less

than 30 households provided the data.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

41 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Bream

Over half (52%) of the total recreational catch of bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) was taken in the

Sydney and Mid South Coast fishing zones (26% each), followed by the Mid North Coast (20%),

Hunter (14%), North Coast (12%) and South Coast (2%) (Figure 17A). The majority (72%) of all

bream caught were released (Figure 17B) and shore-based fishing (57%) accounted for over

half of the catch (Figure 17C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in estuarine waters

(88%), followed by inshore coastal waters (12%) and freshwater rivers (<1%) (Figure 17D).

Virtually all of the catch was taken by line fishing – primarily using bait (90%) as opposed to

lures (10%), with a small component (<1%) taken by other methods (net and diving) (Figure

17E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for a third (33%) of the catch, followed by

autumn (29%), winter (21%) and spring (17%) (Figure 17F).

Figure 17 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for bream in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fishing zone;

B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E) fishing

method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with equivalent data

for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

42 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Dusky Flathead

Close to one third (31%) of the total recreational catch of dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus)

was taken in the Mid South Coast fishing zone – with the remaining catch distributed quite

evenly across the other five coastal zones (ranging from 16% down to 11%) (Figure 18A). Over

half (55%) of all dusky flathead caught were released (Figure 18B) and boat-based fishing (82%)

accounted for the vast majority of the catch (Figure 18C). Estuarine waters dominated the total

catch (96%), with the remainder in inshore coastal waters (3%) and other water body types

(<1%) (Figure 18D). Virtually all of the catch was taken by line fishing – mainly using bait (64%)

as opposed to lures (36%), with a small component (<1%) taken by other methods (pot/trap, net

and diving) (Figure 18E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for just over a third (34%)

of the catch, followed by autumn (27%), spring (23%) and winter (16%) (Figure 18F).

Figure 18 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Dusky Flathead in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Dusky Flathead

11%

16%

14%

31%

13%

14%

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb

Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

43 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Sand Flathead

The Mid South Coast fishing zone accounted for 39% of the total recreational catch of Sand

Flathead (several Platycephalidae species, but dominated by Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus

& bassensis), followed by Sydney (23%), then the Mid North Coast and Hunter (at 14% each),

South Coast (7%) and North Coast (3%) (Figure 19A). Over half (54%) of all sand flathead

caught were released (Figure 19B) and boat-based fishing (90%) accounted for the vast majority

of the catch (Figure 19C). Inshore coastal waters dominated the total catch (69%), with the

remainder in estuaries (17%) and offshore waters (14%) (Figure 19D). Virtually all of the catch

was taken by line fishing – the majority using bait (91%) as opposed to lures (8%), with a small

component (<1)% taken by other methods (net and diving) (Figure 19E). The summer season

(Dec-Feb) accounted for half (50%) of the total catch, with the remainder being distributed

across the other seasons – spring (19%), autumn (16%) and winter (14%) (Figure 19F).

Figure 19 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Sand Flathead in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore- based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Sand Flathead

14%

39%

23%

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

44 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Leatherjacket

The Sydney fishing zone accounted for 43% of the total catch of leatherjacket species

(Balistidae & Monacanthidae), followed by the Mid South Coast (30%), Hunter (13%), Mid North

Coast (9%) and South Coast (4%) (Figure 20A). A majority (61%) of the leatherjacket catch was

kept (Figure 20B) and boat-based fishing (63%) accounted for a similar majority of the catch

(Figure 20C). Half of the catch (50%) was taken in inshore coastal waters, followed closely by

estuarine waters (42%), then offshore (8%) (Figure 20D). The vast majority of the catch was

taken by line fishing (84%) – primarily using bait (82%) as opposed to lures (2%). Diving

accounted for 16% of the catch (Figure 20E). Almost one third (32%) of the catch occurred

during the autumn season (Mar-May), followed by spring (26%), then summer and winter (at

21% each) (Figure 20F).

Figure 20 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for leatherjacket in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; ; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

45 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Mulloway

Over half of the total recreational catch of Mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) was taken in

the Sydney fishing zone (60%), followed by the North Coast (23%), Mid North Coast (13%), with

minority catches in the Mid South Coast (4%) and Hunter zones (1%) (Figure 21A). The majority

(81%) of all mulloway caught were released (Figure 21B) and boat-based fishing (72%)

accounted for most of the catch (Figure 21C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in

estuarine waters (87%), followed by inshore coastal waters (12%) and offshore (1%) (Figure

21D). All of the catch was taken by line fishing – primarily using bait (87%), as opposed to lures

(13%) (Figure 21E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for 43% of the catch, followed

by autumn (30%), winter (17%) and spring (10%) (Figure 21F).

Figure 21 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Mulloway in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

46 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Australian Salmon

Almost half of the total recreational catch of Australian Salmon (Arripis spp.) was taken in the

Mid South Coast fishing zone (47%), followed by the Hunter (20%), Sydney (15%), South Coast

(14%) and Mid North Coast (3%) (Figure 22A). Just over half (51%) of all Australian salmon

caught were kept (Figure 22B) and shore-based fishing (74%) accounted for the majority of the

catch (Figure 22C). Over two thirds of the catch was taken in inshore coastal waters (69%),

followed by estuaries (28%) and a minority in offshore waters (3%) (Figure 22D). Virtually all of

the catch was taken by line fishing – mainly using bait (76%) as opposed to lures (24%) with a

small component (<1%) taken by net (Figure 22E). The spring season (Sep-Nov) accounted for

over a third of the catch (35%), closely followed by winter (32%), then autumn (18%) and

summer (15%) (Figure 22F).

Figure 22 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Australian Salmon in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Australian Salmon

20%

47%

15%

14%

100

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

47 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Silver Trevally

The Sydney fishing zone accounted for 43% of the total recreational catch of Silver Trevally

(Pseudocaranx dentex), followed by the Mid South Coast (28%) and Hunter (13%), with the

remainder of the catch in the North Coast, Mid North Coast and South Coast zones (at 5% each)

(Figure 23A). Over half (56%) of all Silver Trevally caught were kept (Figure 23B) and boat-

based fishing (69%) accounted for the majority of the catch (Figure 23C). Over half of the catch

was taken in inshore coastal waters (55%), followed by estuaries (42%) and a minority in

offshore waters (3%) (Figure 23D). Virtually all of the catch was taken by line fishing – the

majority using bait (85%) as opposed to lures (15%), with a small component (<1%) taken by net

(Figure 23E). The winter season (Jun-Aug) accounted for over a third of the catch (34%),

closely followed by spring (31%), then autumn (19%) and summer (16%) (Figure 23F).

Figure 23 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Silver Trevally in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Silver Trevally

13%

28%

43%

Kept

Rel.

Catch (x000)

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

48 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Snapper

Over a third of the total recreational catch of Snapper (Pagrus auratus) was taken in the Sydney

fishing zone (35%), followed by the Hunter and Mid South Coast (at 22% each), North Coast

(11%), Mid North Coast (7%) and South Coast (4%) (Figure 24A). The majority (75%) of all

Snapper caught were released (Figure 24B) and boat-based fishing dominated the total catch

(80%) (Figure 24C). A majority of the catch was taken in estuarine waters (61%), followed by

inshore coastal waters (31%) and offshore (8%) (Figure 24D). Virtually all of the catch was

taken by line fishing – the vast majority using bait (85%) as opposed to lures (15%), with a small

component (<1%) taken by diving (Figure 24E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for

45% of the catch, followed by autumn (25%), winter (17%) and spring (13%) (Figure 24F).

Figure 24 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Snapper in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

49 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Tailor

Close to a third of the total recreational catch of Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) was taken in the

Mid North Coast fishing zone (31%), followed by Sydney (18%), the Hunter (16%), Mid South

Coast (14%), North Coast (13%) and South Coast (8%) (Figure 25A). Over half (52%) of all

Tailor caught were kept (Figure 25B) and shore-based fishing (56%) accounted for over half of

the catch (Figure 25C). Virtually all of the catch was taken in estuaries and inshore coastal

waters (at 50% each), with offshore waters at < 1% (Figure 25D). Almost all of the catch was

taken by line fishing – mainly using bait (72%) as opposed to lures (28%), with a small

component (<1%) taken by diving (Figure 25E). The winter season (Jun-Aug) accounted for

over a third of the total catch (37%), closely followed by autumn (36%), then summer (17%) and

spring (11%) (Figure 25F).

Figure 25 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Tailor in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

50 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Sand Whiting

Close to a third (32%) of the total recreational catch of Sand Whiting (Sillago ciliata) was taken in

the Mid South Coast fishing zone, followed by the Hunter (28%), North Coast (17%), Mid North

Coast (13%), then Sydney and the South Coast (at 5% each) (Figure 26A). Over half (56%) of

all Sand Whiting caught were released (Figure 26B) and shore-based fishing (53%) accounted

for over half of the catch (Figure 26C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in estuarine

waters (80%), with the remainder from inshore coastal waters (20%) (Figure 26D). Almost all of

the catch was taken by line fishing – the majority using bait (92%) as opposed to lures (8%), with

a small component (<1%) taken by diving (Figure 26E). The summer season (Dec-Feb)

accounted for over half of the catch (52%), followed by autumn (28%), spring (12%) and winter

(8%) (Figure 26F).

Figure 26 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Sand Whiting in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Sand Whiting

17%

13%

28%

32%

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Boat

Shore

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

51 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Yellowtail Kingfish

The majority of the total recreational catch of Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) was taken in

the Mid South Coast fishing zone (71%), followed by the Mid North Coast (13%), the Hunter

(7%), Sydney (5%), the South Coast (4%) and the North Coast (2%) (Figure 27A). A majority

(63%) of all Yellowtail Kingfish caught were released (Figure 27B) and boat-based fishing

accounted for the vast majority of the catch (91%) (Figure 27C). Just over half the catch was

taken from inshore coastal waters (51%), followed by offshore waters (31%) and estuaries (18%)

(Figure 27D). The vast majority of the catch was taken by line fishing – mainly using bait (70%)

as opposed to lures (29%), with a small component (<1%) taken by diving (Figure 27E). The

autumn season (Mar-May) accounted for just over half of the catch (55%), followed by summer

(33%), winter (7%) and spring (6%) (Figure 27F).

Figure 27 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Yellowtail Kingfish in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Yellowtail Kingfish

13%

71%

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb

Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

52 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Blue Mackerel

The Mid South Coast fishing zone accounted for 39% of the total recreational catch of Blue

Mackerel (Scomber australasicus), followed by the Mid North Coast (26%), the North Coast and

Hunter (at 11% each), South Coast (10%) and Sydney (3%) (Figure 28A). The vast majority

(91%) of all Blue Mackerel caught were kept (Figure 28B) and boat-based fishing (92%)

accounted for a similar majority of the catch (Figure 28C). Just over half of the catch was taken

from inshore coastal waters (51%), followed by estuaries (31%) and offshore (11%) (Figure

28D). All of the catch was taken by line fishing – mostly using bait (86%) as opposed to lures

(14%) (Figure 28E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for 43% of the catch, followed

by autumn (32%), spring (14%) and winter (12%) (Figure 28F).

Figure 28 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Blue Mackerel in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Blue Mackerel

11%

26%

11%

39%

10%

100

120

140

160

180

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

53 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Mullet

The Mid South Coast fishing zone accounted for 37% of the total recreational catch of mullet

(Mugilidae), followed by the Mid North Coast (24%), Sydney (21%) then the North Coast and

Hunter (at 8% each), with the South Coast at 2% (Figure 29A). The majority (73%) of all mullet

caught were kept (Figure 29B) and shore-based fishing (75%) accounted for a similar majority of

the catch (Figure 29C). A high proportion of the catch was taken in estuarine waters (73%),

followed by freshwater rivers (18%) and inshore coastal waters (9%) (Figure 29D). The majority

of the catch was taken by line fishing – primarily using bait (73%) as opposed to lures (9%), with

a notable component (18%) taken by pots/traps (Figure 29E). The summer season (Dec-Feb)

accounted for 30% of the catch, closely followed by winter (29%) then autumn (22%) and spring

(19%) (Figure 29F).

Figure 29 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for mullet in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

54 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Yellowtail Scad

The Sydney fishing zone accounted for 40% of the total recreational catch of Yellowtail Scad

(Trachurus novaezelandiae), followed by the Mid South Coast (23%), North Coast (16%), Hunter

(12%), South Coast (5%) and Mid North Coast (4%) (Figure 30A). The majority (63%) of all

Yellowtail Scad caught were kept (Figure 30B) and boat-based fishing (80%) accounted for the

vast majority of the catch (Figure 30C). Just over half the catch was taken from estuaries (51%),

followed closely by inshore coastal waters (47%), with a small minority (2%) in offshore waters

(Figure 30D). All of the catch was taken by line fishing – with the majority using bait (81%) as

opposed to lures (19%) (Figure 30E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for 41% of the

catch, followed by winter (24%), autumn (18%) and spring (16%) (Figure 30F).

Figure 30 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Yellowtail Scad in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Yellowtail Scad

16%

12%

23%

40%

100

120

140

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

55 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Australian Bass

The majority of the total recreational catch of Australian Bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) was

taken in the Hunter fishing zone (74%), followed by the North Coast (11%), Sydney (8%), then

the Mid North Coast and Mid South Coast (at 3% each) (Figure 31A). Virtually all (94%) of

Australian Bass caught were released (Figure 31B) and boat-based fishing (84%) accounted for

the majority of the catch (Figure 31C). Over half the catch was taken in freshwater lakes or

dams (56%), followed by freshwater rivers (42%), with a minority (2%) in estuarine waters

(Figure 31D). All of the catch was taken by line fishing – primarily using lures (73%) as opposed

to bait (27%) (Figure 31E). The spring season (Sep-Nov) accounted for close to half of the

catch (47%), followed by summer (27%), autumn (22%) and a minority in winter (3%) (Figure

31F).

Figure 31 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Australian Bass in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Australian Bass

11%

74%

100

150

200

250

300

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

250

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

56 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

European Carp

Over half (52%) of the total recreational catch of European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) was taken in

the Murray/South West fishing zone, closely followed by the Darling/North West (46%), then

Sydney and the ACT (at 1% each) (Figure 32A). Virtually all (99.7%) of the European Carp

caught were kept (Figure 32B) and shore-based fishing (79%) accounted for the majority of the

catch (Figure 32C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in freshwater rivers (87%), with the

remainder (13%) in freshwater lakes or dams (Figure 32D). Virtually all of the catch was taken

by line fishing – primarily using bait (86%) as opposed to lures (13%), with a minority (< 1%)

taken by various other methods (Figure 32E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for

29% of the catch, closely followed by spring (28%), autumn (23%) and winter (20%) (Figure

32F).

Figure 32 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for European Carp in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

European Carp

46%

52%

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

200

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

57 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Golden Perch

The majority of the total recreational catch of Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) was taken in

the Darling/North West fishing zone (51%), followed by the Murray/South West (41%), then the

Hunter (6%) and ACT (2%) (Figure 33A). Over half (54%) of all Golden Perch caught were kept

(Figure 33B) and boat-based fishing (56%) accounted for a similar proportion of the catch

(Figure 33C). Just over half of the catch was taken in freshwater rivers (54%), with the

remainder (46%) in freshwater lakes or dams (Figure 33D). Virtually all of the catch was taken

by line fishing – a majority using bait (69%) as opposed to lures (31%), with a small component

(<1%) taken by net (Figure 33E). The spring season (Sep-Nov) accounted for 40% of the catch,

followed by autumn (28%), summer (21%) and winter (12%) (Figure 33F).

Figure 33 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Golden Perch in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Golden Perch

51%

41%

100

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

58 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Murray Cod

The vast majority of the total recreational catch of Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) was taken

in the Murray/South West fishing zone (65%), followed by the Darling/North West (33%), and a

minority (1%) in the ACT (Figure 34A). The vast majority (87%) of all Murray Cod caught were

released (Figure 34B) and boat-based fishing accounted for over half (57%) of the catch (Figure

34C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in freshwater rivers (88%), with the remainder

(12%) in freshwater lakes and dams (Figure 34D). Virtually all of the catch was taken by line

fishing – mainly using bait (75%) as opposed to lures (25%), with a small component (<1%)

taken by net (Figure 34E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for close to half (48%) of

the catch, followed by autumn (30%), with a minority in spring (12%) and winter (10%) (Figure

34F).

Figure 34 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Murray Cod in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Murray Cod

33%

65%

100

120

140

160

180

200

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

120

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

59 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Redfin Perch

Just over half (51%) of the total recreational catch of Redfin Perch (Perca fluviatilis) was taken in

the Darling/North West fishing zone, closely followed by the Murray/South West (44%), then the

ACT (4%), Mid North Coast (2%) and Sydney (1%) (Figure 35A). The majority (67%) of all

Redfin Perch caught were released (Figure 35B) and boat-based fishing (80%) accounted for

the vast majority of the catch (Figure 35C). The majority of the catch was taken in freshwater

lakes and dams (69%), with the remainder (31%) in freshwater rivers (Figure 35D). All of the

catch was taken by line fishing – with similar proportions using lures (51%) and bait (49%)

(Figure 35E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for the majority (63%) of the catch,

followed by spring (19%), autumn (12%) and winter (5%) (Figure 35F).

Figure 35 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Redfin Perch in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14 – total catch (numbers kept and released) by residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; ; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Redfin Perch

51%

44%

100

120

140

160

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

160

180

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

100

120

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

100

120

140

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

60 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Trout

The vast majority of the total recreational catch of Brown and Rainbow Trout (Salmo trutta &

Oncorhynchus mykiss) was taken in the Murray/South West fishing zone (83%), followed by the

Sydney zone (16%), with a minority (1%) in the Darling/North West (Figure 36A). Note: brown

trout comprised just over half (54%) of the total trout catch and similar results were assessed for

each species in the analyses below – therefore the results have been grouped. The majority

(68%) of all trout caught were kept (Figure 36B) and boat-based fishing (58%) accounted for

over half of the catch (Figure 36C). The vast majority of the catch was taken in freshwater lakes

and dams (82%), with the remainder (18%) in freshwater rivers (Figure 36D). Virtually all of the

catch was taken by line fishing – primarily using lures (87%) as opposed to bait (13%) (Figure

36E). Very similar proportions of the catch occurred across the four seasons – ranging from

26% down to 24% (Figure 36F).

Figure 36 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for trout in NSW during 2013/14 – total catch

(numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by fishing

zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body fished; E)

fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error, with

equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

61 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Blue Swimmer Crab

Over half (53%) of the recreational catch of Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus pelagicus) was taken

in the Hunter fishing zone, followed by the Mid South Coast (19%), North Coast (16%), Mid

North Coast (7%), Sydney (4%) and South Coast (1%) (Figure 37A). The majority (69%) of all

Blue Swimmer Crabs caught were kept (Figure 37B) and boat-based fishing (51%) accounted

for just over half of the catch (Figure 37C). Virtually all of the catch was taken in estuarine

waters (99%), with a minority (1%) in inshore coastal waters (Figure 37D). The majority of the

catch was taken by pots/traps (69%), followed by line fishing (25%) and nets (6%) (Figure 37E).

The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for over half (54%) of the catch, followed by autumn

(39%), with minorities in spring (6%) and winter (1%) (Figure 37F).

Figure 37 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Blue Swimmer Crab in NSW during 2013/14

– total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%)

by fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Blue Swimmer Crab

16%

53%

19%

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

100

Offshore

Inshore

Estuary River

Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug

Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

62 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Mud Crab

The North Coast fishing zone accounted for 43% of the total recreational catch of Mud Crab

(Scylla spp.), closely followed by Mid North Coast (35%), then the Hunter (13%) and Sydney

(9%) (Figure 38A). A majority (62%) of all Mud Crabs caught were kept (Figure 38B) and shore-

based fishing (58%) accounted for over half of the catch (Figure 38C). The entire catch (100%)

was taken in estuarine waters (Figure 38D). The vast majority of the catch was taken by

pots/traps (95%), with minorities by line fishing (3%) and nets (2%) (Figure 38E). The summer

season (Dec-Feb) accounted for a high proportion (43%) of the catch, closely followed by

autumn (37%), with minorities in spring (14%) and winter (6%) (Figure 38F).

Figure 38 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for Mud Crab in NSW during 2013/14 – total

catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

12%

20%

14%

26%

B C

Mud Crab

43%

35%

13%

Kept Rel.

Catch (x000)

Boat Shore

Catch (x000)

Line-bait Line-lure Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Catch (x000)

Offshore Inshore Estuary River Lake/dam

Catch (x000)

Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Mar-May

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

63 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Yabby (freshwater)

Half (50%) of the total recreational catch of yabbies (Cherax spp.) was taken in the Darling/North

West fishing zone, followed by the Murray/South West (24%), the Hunter (17%) and Sydney

(9%) (Figure 39A). The vast majority (87%) of all yabbies caught were kept (Figure 39B) and

shore-based fishing (99.8%) accounted for virtually all of the catch (Figure 39C). Two-thirds of

the catch was taken in freshwater lakes and dams (67%), with the remainder (33%) in

freshwater rivers (Figure 39D). The majority of the catch was taken by pots/traps (65%),

followed by nets (32%), with minorities by line fishing (3%) and other methods (< 1%) (Figure

39E). The summer season (Dec-Feb) accounted for over a third (38%) of the catch, closely

followed by winter (37%), autumn (15%) and spring (11%) (Figure 39F).

Figure 39 Characteristics of the recreational fishery for freshwater yabbies in NSW during 2013/14 –

total catch (numbers kept and released) by NSW/ACT residents by: A) proportion (%) by

fishing zone; B) kept and released; C) boat and shore-based fishing; D) water body

fished; E) fishing method; and F) seasonality. Error bars represent one standard error,

with equivalent data for A) fishing zones in Appendix 13.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

64 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Regional Fisheries

In this section, fishing effort (fisher days) is evaluated within the main fishing zones (refer Figure

3, Appendix 13) in the context of where fishers reside (residential strata, Figure 2), providing a

broad assessment of ‘imported’ fishing effort. Fishing effort has also been assessed in terms of

water body type and platform (as summarised in Appendices 6 and 10, respectively). The total

catch of key species for each fishing zone has also been assessed (Appendix 13).

Catch and effort information was provided by fishers during the Diary Survey and is presented

as expanded estimates for the resident population of NSW and the ACT aged five years and

older (as at June 2013) and their recreational fishing activity during the period June 2013 to May

2014.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

65 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

North Coast Fishing Zone

The vast majority (88%) of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the North Coast fishing

zone (see map below) was attributable to local or nearby residents, namely the

Richmond/Tweed stratum (56%) and the Mid North Coast (32%) – with Sydney (6%) and the

Central West/North (4%) accounting for most of the remainder (Figure 40A).

A majority (68%) of all fisher days were shore-based (68%) (Figure 40B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (58%), followed by inshore coastal waters (32%), freshwater

rivers (6%), offshore waters (3%) and freshwater lakes/dams (1%) (Figure 40C).

Bream was the most common species caught (33%), followed by dusky flathead (15%), sand

whiting (12%), swallowtail dart (11%), snapper (10%), red rock cod and tailor (at 6% each), with

a range of other species at < 4% each (Figure 40D).

Figure 40 Characteristics of the North Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by residential

stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D) total catch

(numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

150

200

250

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

NORTH COAST

100

150

200

250

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

66 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Mid North Coast Fishing Zone

A significant proportion of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Mid North Coast fishing

zone (see map below) was attributable to local residents, namely the Mid North Coast stratum

(44%), followed by Sydney (29%), the Hunter (12%) – with the Central West/North (6%) and

Illawarra (5%) accounting for most of the remainder (Figure 41A).

A majority (67%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 41B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (66%), followed by inshore coastal waters (30%), with all other

water body types at < 3% each (Figure 41C).

Bream was the most common species caught (39%), followed by dusky flathead (15%), sand

flathead, (12%), tailor (10%), sand whiting (6%), prawns (6% by number) and snapper (5%), with

a range of other species at < 4% each (Figure 41D).

Figure 41 Characteristics of the Mid North Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D)

total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

150

200

250

Fisher days (x000)

MID NORTH

COAST

A B C

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

67 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Hunter Fishing Zone

The vast majority (92%) of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Hunter fishing zone (see

map below) was attributable to local or nearby residents, namely the Hunter stratum (52%) and

Sydney (40%) – with the Central West/North (4%) accounting for half of the remainder (Figure

42A).

Around half (51%) of all fisher days were boat-based (Figure 42B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (63%), followed by inshore coastal waters (25%), freshwater

lakes/dams (9%), with freshwater rivers and offshore waters at < 2% each (Figure 42C).

Bream was the most common species caught (21%), followed by prawns (13%, by number),

then similar proportions (11% down to 9%) for snapper, sand whiting, dusky flathead, trumpeter

whiting and sand flathead, with a range of other species at < 4% each (Figure 42D).

Figure 42 Characteristics of the Hunter recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by residential

stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D) total catch

(numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

150

200

250

300

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

HUNTER

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

68 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Sydney Fishing Zone

The vast majority of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Sydney fishing zone (see map

below) was attributable to local residents, namely the Sydney stratum (91%), with the Hunter

(4%) and Illawarra (3%) accounting for most of the remainder (Figure 43A).

Over half (53%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 43B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (80%), followed by inshore coastal waters (12%), with all other

water body types at < 4% each (Figure 43C).

Bream was the most common species caught (38%), followed by snapper (17%), sand flathead

(15%), dusky flathead (9%), then mulloway, tailor and luderick (at 4% each) and a range of other

species at 3% each, or less (Figure 43D).

Figure 43 Characteristics of the Sydney recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by residential

stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D) total catch

(numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

SYDNEY

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

69 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Mid South Coast Fishing Zone

The majority (77%) of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Mid South Coast fishing

zone (see map below) was attributable to local or nearby residents, namely the Illawarra stratum

(47%) and Sydney (30%) – with the ACT (10%) and South East (8%) accounting for most of the

remainder (Figure 44A).

A majority (58%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 44B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (62%), followed by inshore coastal waters (32%), with all other

water body types at < 4% each (Figure 44C).

Bream was the most common species caught (22%), followed by prawns (18%, by number),

sand flathead (15%), dusky flathead (13%), luderick (12%), then sand whiting and snapper (at

7% each), with a range of other species at < 3% each (Figure 44D).

Figure 44 Characteristics of the Mid South Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D)

total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

MID SOUTH COAST

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

70 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

South Coast Fishing Zone

The majority of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the South Coast fishing zone (see map

below) was attributable to local or nearby residents, namely the South East stratum (32%) and

the ACT (28%) – followed by the Illawarra (17%), with Sydney and the Hunter (at 7% each)

accounting for most of the remainder (Figure 45A).

A majority (61%) of all fisher days were boat-based (Figure 45B) and total effort was

concentrated in estuarine waters (71%), followed by inshore coastal waters (28%), with all other

water body types totalling < 1% (Figure 45C).

Dusky flathead was the most common species caught (38%), followed by sand flathead (17%),

bream (12%), then tailor, snapper and sand whiting (at 7% each), Australian salmon (5%), with a

range of other species at < 3% each (Figure 45D).

Figure 45 Characteristics of the South Coast recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity

by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D)

total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

SOUTH COAST

100

120

Fisher days (x000)

100

120

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

71 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Murray/South West Fishing Zone

A significant proportion of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Murray/South West

fishing zone (see map below) was attributable to local residents, namely the South West stratum

(46%), followed by the South East (15%), Central West/North (13%), the ACT (12%), Sydney

(7%), Illawarra (3%), with the four remaining strata at 1% each (Figure 46A).

A majority (58%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 46B) and total effort was mainly in

freshwater rivers (54%), with the remainder in freshwater lakes and dams (46%) (Figure 46C).

European carp was the most common species caught (29%), followed by shrimp (24% by

numbers), trout (15%), Murray cod (12%), then yabbies, redfin perch and golden perch – all at

7% each (Figure 46D).

Figure 46 Characteristics of the Murray/South West recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by by platform; C) fisher

days by water body type; and D) total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars

represent one standard error.

100

120

140

160

180

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

MURRAY/SOUTH WEST

100

150

200

250

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

72 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Darling/North West Fishing Zone

A significant proportion of recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the Darling/North West

fishing zone (see map below) was attributable to local and nearby residents, namely the Central

West/North stratum (40%) and the North West (21%) – with Sydney (13%), the Mid North Coast

(11%) and South West (10%) accounting for most of the remainder (Figure 47A).

A majority (62%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 47B) and total effort was

concentrated in freshwater rivers (60%), with the remainder in freshwater lakes and dams (40%)

(Figure 47C).

European carp was the most common species caught (32%), followed by shrimp (22% by

numbers), yabbies (19%), golden perch (10%), redfin perch (9%), Murray cod (8%) and trout at

< 1% (Figure 47D).

Figure 47 Characteristics of the Darling/North West recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing

activity by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by

residential stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D)

total catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

100

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

DARLING/NORTH WEST

100

120

140

160

Fisher days (x000)

100

120

140

160

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

100

150

200

250

300

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

73 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

The ACT Fishing Zone

All of the recreational fishing effort (fisher days) in the ACT fishing zone (see map below) was

attributable to local and nearby residents, namely the ACT stratum (89%) and the South East

(11%) (Figure 48A).

Two-thirds (66%) of all fisher days were shore-based (Figure 48B) and total effort was mainly in

freshwater lakes and dams (57%), with the remainder in freshwater rivers (43%) (Figure 48C).

Redfin perch was the most common species caught (35%), followed by European carp (27%),

golden perch (20%) and Murray cod (18%) (Figure 48D).

Figure 48 Characteristics of the ACT recreational fishery based on 2013/14 fishing activity by

NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older: A) fishing effort (fisher days) by residential

stratum; B) fisher days by platform; C) fisher days by water body type; and D) total

catch (numbers) for the key species. Error bars represent one standard error.

Fisher days (x000)

A B C

ACT

Fisher days (x000)

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

Catch (x000)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

74 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Boat Ownership and Vessel Characteristics

General boat ownership was assessed for all NSW/ACT households in the Screening Survey.

However by design, detailed boat profiling information was assessed for households reporting

fishing activity during 2013/14, as part of the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey. This information

included length of the boat, main propulsion method, usage for fishing, navigational and fishing

aids, mode of storage and market value. In all cases, this information has been expanded to

represent the resident population of NSW and the ACT as at June 2013. However, data from

the Screening Survey refer to boat ownership as at June 2013, whereas the latter information

refers to boat ownership as at the end of the diary period (May 2014) and therefore provides a

detailed assessment of the NSW/ACT recreational fishing fleet. Note: eligible boats included

canoes, kayaks, jet skis/personal water craft (PWC) – but excluded surfboards and windsurfers,

plus any vessel incapable of carrying at least one person (e.g. toy/model boats).

Household Boat Ownership – June 2013

Details of boat ownership from the Screening Survey are provided in Appendix 15 and

summarised in Figure 49. As at June 2013, an estimated 320,818 (SE 11,381) NSW/ACT

resident households owned at least one boat, representing an overall boat ownership rate of

11%. A substantially higher boat ownership rate (38%) emerged for those households with any

fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters in the 12 months prior to June 2013 – whereas the

ownership rate among non-fishing households was only 6% (Appendix 15). Boat ownership

rates among fishing households varied by residential stratum, ranging from 60% in the Mid North

Coast down to 29% in the ACT. Among non-fishing households, boat ownership rates ranged

from 11% in the North West down to 4% in the ACT (Figure 49).

Figure 49 Proportion (%) of fisher and non-fisher households in NSW and the ACT reporting boat

ownership as at June 2013, by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard

error.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

75 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Boats used for Recreational Fishing – June 2013 to May 2014

As noted above, boat ownership was also assessed through the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey

among households that completed the Diary Survey and fished during the 12 month period. In

response, an estimated 180,622 (SE 10,322) or 44% of households that fished in NSW/ACT

waters reported ownership of at least one boat, for a total of 230,118 (SE 13,435) boats of any

kind – representing a mean of 1.27 boats per fisher household (Figure 50, Appendix 16).

Figure 50 Proportion (%) of NSW/ACT fisher households reporting boat ownership as at May 2014,

by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard error.

Of the 230,118 boats owned by fisher households as at May 2014, an estimated 173,895 (SE

10,873) or 76% were used for recreational fishing at least once during the diary period (Figure

51, Appendix 17). Consistent with population size and numbers of fishing households, the

largest number of boats used for fishing was in the Sydney stratum (62,562), with the smallest in

the North West (3,983). However, the proportions of all boats owned by fishing households that

were used for fishing in 2013/14 ranged from 92% for the Illawarra stratum down to 66% for the

Richmond/Tweed (Appendix 17). The remainder of this section focuses on the above 173,895

boats, identified as the recreational fishing ‘fleet’ for 2013/14.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

76 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 51 Number of boats owned by NSW/ACT fisher households and used for recreational fishing

in 2013/14, by residential stratum. Error bars represent one standard error.

Recreational Fishing Boat Profiles

Size of Boats

For each fishing boat, the overall (‘gunwale’) length was reported and appropriate length

groupings applied (in metres). Analysis of these results for the 173,895 fishing boats by

residential stratum is contained in Appendix 18. In summary, the 4-4.9 metre length grouping

accounted for 40% of all fishing boats (68,862; SE 6,500), followed by 26% for the < 4 metres

group (44,641; SE 4,549) and a similar estimate (26%) for the 5-5.9 metres group (44,459; SE

5,127). A minority of all boats were in the larger groups – 5% in the 7 metres plus group (8,259;

SE 2,720) and 4% in the 6-6.9 metres group (7,673, SE 1,871).

Usage Levels for Recreational Fishing

For each fishing boat, proportional usage for recreational fishing, as opposed to other activities

(e.g. water skiing) was assessed for the diary period, with an average of 82% usage for fishing

reported for all boats. Based on usage groupings, a majority of all boats (59%) were reported as

being used exclusively for recreational fishing, followed by a quarter (25%) with 50-99% usage

for fishing and a minority (16%) with less than 50% usage (Table 12). In terms of exclusive

usage for fishing, the proportions were higher for boats smaller than 5 metres (67-68%) than for

the 5-5.9 metres group (48%) and the larger boats (28-31%). Note: further information on usage

proportions and ‘attribution’ levels is provided in ’Market Value of Fishing Boats’ (Page 79).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

77 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 12 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and proportion of all usage for

recreational fishing in 2013/14, i.e. boats owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership. SE is

standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics

indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership.

Overall

length

<50% fishing

50-99% fishing

100% fishing

Number

% (row)

Number

% (row)

Number

% (row)

< 4m

7,037

1,946

15.8

7,692

1,710

17.2

29,912

3,669

67.0

4-4.9m

5,312

1,974

7.7

16,585

3,765

24.1

46,966

4,961

68.2

5-5.9m

7,262

2,086

16.3

15,739

3,365

35.4

21,458

3,309

48.3

6-6.9m

2,720

1,480

35.4

2,788

882

36.3

2,165

728

28.2

7m plus

5,501

2,584

66.6

195

147

2.4

2,563

838

31.0

Total

27,833

4,558

16.0

42,998

5,708

24.7

103,064

7,777

59.3

Main Propulsion

Each fishing boat was classified according to the primary propulsion method, with jetskis/PWC

separated from all power craft. The vast majority (close to 83%) of all recreational fishing boats

were power craft of some kind (Table 13). However, among the smallest size group (< 4

metres), a significant proportion (43%) were row boats, canoes, kayaks etc, with sailing boats a

minority of all fishing craft (1%).

Table 13 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and main propulsion method - i.e.

boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership.

Overall

length

Jetski/PWC

Other Power

Row/paddle

Sail

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

< 4m

838

501

1.9

24,562

3,045

55.0

19,241

3,204

43.1

4-4.9m

60,095

5,956

87.3

8,383

2,600

12.2

384

377

0.6

5-5.9m

43,529

5,095

97.9

930

525

2.1

6-6.9m

7,673

1,871

100.0

7m plus

6,915

2,424

83.7

1,344

1,242

16.3

Total

838

501

0.5

142,774

9,408

82.1

28,554

4,247

16.4

1,728

1,297

1.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

78 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Boat Storage and Access

Over three-quarters (77%) of all recreational fishing boats were trailer boats, followed by ‘car

toppers’ (12%), then shore-based (8%) and those on marinas/moorings (3%) (Table 14).

Whereas trailer boats covered the range of size groups, ‘car-toppers’ and shore-based boats

were predominantly in the smaller size groups (mostly less than 5 metres). Boats kept on

marinas or moorings were all in the larger size groups (6 metres or more).

Table 14 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and main storage/access mode - i.e.

boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT resident fishing

households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership.

Overall

length

Trailer

Marina/mooring

Car topper

Shore-based

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

No.

(row)

< 4m

20,440

2,888

45.8

15,128

2,689

33.9

9,072

2,085

20.3

4-4.9m

58,762

5,855

85.3

5,358

1,827

7.8

4,742

2,084

6.9

5-5.9m

43,845

5,107

98.6

168

167

0.4

446

442

1.0

6-6.9m

7,320

1,855

95.4

353

249

4.6

7m plus

3,205

1,601

38.8

5,054

2,203

61.2

Total

133,573

9,019

76.8

5,407

2,217

3.1

20,654

3,358

11.9

14,260

3,044

8.2

Electronic Fishing Aids

For each fishing boat, the availability of echo-sounders (‘fish finders’) and global positioning

systems (GPS) was assessed – whether as fixtures to the vessel or in portable form. In

response, echo sounder availability was reported for 56% of all recreational fishing boats, with

the highest rate (92%) in the 5-5.9 metre group and the lowest rate (16%) in the < 4 metre group

(Table 15). GPS availability was reported for 39% of all recreational fishing boats, with the

highest rate (69%) in the 5-5.9 metre group and the lowest rate (12%) in the < 4 metre group

(Table 16).

Table 15 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and echo sounder/fish finder

availability, i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT

resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard

error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership.

Overall length

Echo sounder

No echo sounder

Number

% (row)

Number

% (row)

< 4m

6,922

1,626

15.5

37,719

4,255

84.5

4-4.9m

37,923

4,324

55.1

30,940

4,863

44.9

5-5.9m

40,839

4,987

91.9

3,621

1,191

8.1

6-6.9m

6,589

1,784

85.9

1,084

566

14.1

7m plus

5,409

1,979

65.5

2,850

1,872

34.5

Total

97,681

7,462

56.2

76,214

7,148

43.8

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

79 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 16 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and global positioning system (GPS)

availability, i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by NSW/ACT

resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard

error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting boat ownership.

Overall length

GPS

No GPS

Number

% (row)

Number

% (row)

< 4m

5,267

1,537

11.8

39,374

4,291

88.2

4-4.9m

24,052

4,097

34.9

44,811

5,070

65.1

5-5.9m

30,471

4,274

68.5

13,988

2,870

31.5

6-6.9m

4,635

1,119

60.4

3,038

1,499

39.6

7m plus

3,896

1,486

47.2

4,363

2,282

52.8

Total

68,320

6,792

39.3

105,574

8,043

60.7

Market Value of Fishing Boats

For each fishing boat, the current market value (or replacement cost) was provided by

respondents – therefore enabling estimation of the total market value of the recreational fishing

fleet (Table 17). Also, as discussed in ’Usage Levels for Recreational Fishing’ (Page 76), each

boat was assessed in terms of the proportion of total usage (time) during the diary period, that

was attributable to recreational fishing (as opposed to other activities, e.g. water skiing). The

resultant ‘% attribution’ was applied to the total value for each boat to produce ‘attributed’ values.

i.e. directly attributed to recreational fishing (Table 17).

The estimated total market value of all boats used by residents for recreational fishing in NSW

and the ACT during 2013/14 exceeds $1.53 billion, at an average of over $8,800 per boat.

Around three quarters (74%) of the total value was directly attributed to recreational fishing –

totalling over $1.13 billion (Table 17). The majority (72%) of the total attributed value refers to

boats between 4 and 5.9 metres in length. While the average attributed value was over $6,500

per boat, this was naturally dependent on size – ranging from around $1,600 for boats under 4

metres to over $16,000 for vessels in the 6-6.9 metre group.

Table 17 Numbers of fishing boats by overall length (grouped) and market value (total and

attributed to fishing), i.e. boats used for recreational fishing in 2013/14 and owned by

NSW/ACT resident fishing households. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reporting

boat ownership.

Overall

length

Total value ($)

Attrib-

ution

rate (%)

Attributed value ($)

Total

Average

per boat

Total

Average

per boat

< 4m

83,669,733

9,608,674

1,874

86.6

72,442,707

9,053,972

1,623

4-4.9m

396,881,361

44,405,436

5,763

86.5

343,155,311

39,902,947

4,983

5-5.9m

595,435,141

74,593,480

13,393

79.5

473,293,062

60,690,727

10,646

6-6.9m

198,825,850

48,976,038

25,912

62.2

123,738,690

31,964,175

16,127

7m plus

259,903,368

95,557,089

31,468

45.9

119,320,381

37,606,728

14,447

Total

1,534,715,453

139,360,921

8,826

73.8

1,131,950,151

89,961,249

6,509

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

80 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Other Results: Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey

The opinions and attitudes of diarists were obtained in this survey in terms of various fishing-

related matters, from the main/key fisher in each household, aged 15 years and older.

The majority of the results in this section have been presented as expanded estimates for

resident households (as at June 2013), with recreational fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters

during the period June 2013 to May 2014. In total, this equates to 410,059 fishing households.

However, due to a small number (<2%) of households containing no fisher aged 15 years or

more, a lesser total of 403,183 households has been applied in these analyses.

Recreational Fishing Motivations

Respondents were presented with eight motivational factors, representing both catch and non-

catch related components of the recreational fishing experience and asked to rate each as

being: ‘very important’, ‘quite important’, ‘not very important’ or ‘not at all important’. For

additional analysis purposes, values have been assigned to the responses, on a scale from 1

(not at all important) up to 4 (very important).

The two highest rated motivations in terms of overall importance were non-catch related – “to be

outdoors, in the fresh air … to enjoy nature” (a mean score of 3.63, with over 95% reporting at

least quite important), closely followed by “to relax or unwind” (mean score of 3.52, with close to

92% reporting at least quite important) (Table 18).

Very high ratings also occurred for: “the enjoyment or sport of catching fish, crabs etc” (mean

score of 3.26 and over 85% reporting at least quite important); “to spend time with your family”

(means score 3.26, with nearly 79% reporting at least quite important); and “to spend time with

your friends” (mean score of 3.18 and close to 80% reporting at least quite important) (Table 18).

A somewhat lower rating emerged for “to catch fresh fish/crabs etc. for food” (a mean score of

2.75 and over 58% reporting at least quite important), followed by “to be on your own ... to get

away from people” (mean score of 2.42 and nearly 41% reporting at least quite important), then

“to compete in fishing competitions of any kind” (mean score of 1.20 and less than 5% reporting

at least quite important) (Table 18).

Further analysis of these results for other key variables revealed very little differences – indeed

none with any statistical significance. For example, in terms of residential stratum, the largest

proportional range in mean scores for any motivational factor occurred for “to compete in fishing

competitions of any kind” – where a mean score of 1.44 was recorded for the South West

stratum, as opposed to 1.12 for the ACT and an overall mean of 1.20. The next largest

proportional range occurred for “to catch fresh fish, crabs etc. for food” – where a mean score of

3.03 was recorded for the Illawarra stratum, as opposed to 2.49 for the South West and an

overall mean of 2.76.

Also, when analysed by the gender of the main fisher/respondent (where 85% were males), the

largest proportional range in mean scores occurred in terms of “to be on your own ... to get away

from other people” – where a mean score of 2.66 was recorded for females, opposed to 2.39 for

males and an overall mean of 2.44. The differences by gender for all other motivational factors

were substantially less than this.

Relatively minor differences also occurred by age group and the largest proportional range in

mean scores occurred for “to catch fresh fish, crabs etc. for food” – where a mean score of 3.09

was recorded for the 60 years plus age group, as opposed to 2.39 for the 15-29 years age group

and an overall mean of 2.76. The next largest range occurred for “to be on your own ... to get

away from people” – where a mean score of 2.50 was reported for the 45-59 years age group,

as opposed to 2.11 for the 15-29 years age group and an overall mean of 2.44.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

81 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 18 Relative importance of motivational factors for recreational fishing - as reported by the

main/key fisher aged 15 years or more in resident households with recreational fishing

activity in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 fishing households

responded.

How important …. (and score value)

Mean

score

value

Motivational factor

Row

Very

(4)

Quite

(3)

Not very

(2)

Not at all

(1)

Unsure

(-)

To relax or unwind

61.3

30.6

7.0

0.7

0.5

3.52

3.1

2.2

1.1

0.3

To be outdoors, in the

fresh air … to enjoy nature

69.0

26.5

3.6

0.1

0.8

3.63

3.2

2.1

0.8

0.1

0.5

To be on your own ... to get

away from people

17.9

22.9

43.9

14.5

0.8

2.42

1.8

2.0

2.5

1.7

0.5

To spend time with your

family

52.8

25.9

16.7

3.6

1.0

3.26

2.8

2.1

1.6

0.7

0.5

To spend time with your

friends

43.1

36.7

16.3

2.9

1.0

3.18

2.6

2.5

1.4

0.8

0.5

To compete in fishing

competitions of any kind

1.4

3.2

10.5

83.7

1.2

1.20

0.4

0.7

1.1

3.5

0.6

For the enjoyment or sport

of catching fish, crabs etc.

43.6

41.9

12.7

1.0

0.9

3.26

2.5

2.7

1.4

0.4

0.5

To catch fresh fish, crabs

etc. for food

28.7

29.6

30.1

10.9

0.7

2.75

2.0

2.3

2.2

1.4

0.5

Satisfaction with Fishing

All main fishers/respondents were also asked how satisfied they were with the overall quality of

their fishing during the diary period, with three-quarters (76%) indicating that they were at least

quite satisfied (Figure 52; Appendix 19). Further analysis of these results for other key variables

revealed very few differences – indeed none with any statistical significance. For example, in

terms of residential strata, the highest general satisfaction levels were reported for the North

West and ACT (at 82% each), with the lowest levels in the North Coast (71%) and Mid North

Coast (66%), compared with the overall mean of 76% (Appendix 19). Also, when analysed by

the gender of the main fisher/respondent (again, 85% were males), a higher (but not significant)

general satisfaction level emerged for females (85%), as opposed to males (74%) and an overall

mean of 76%. Similarly, minor differences occurred by age group, e.g. the lowest general

satisfaction level was 69% for the 60 years plus age group.

All respondents reporting general dissatisfaction (24%) with their fishing in the previous 12

months were asked their main (and any other) reason for this. Detailed responses were

recorded by interviewers in terms of: the nature of the problem/issue; the perceived cause; and

any suggested solution. As for similar ‘open-ended’ questioning reported in ’Other Attitudinal

Information’ (Page 82), final coding and analysis of these responses will be undertaken by

Fisheries NSW staff. However, after a broad assessment, the vast majority refer to low catch

rates/levels, with many also citing high numbers of under-sized fish. In terms of perceived

causes and solutions, the majority provided little further information. Among the remainder, a

variety of factors were mentioned including commercial fishing impacts, general over-fishing and

various environmental factors, e.g. lack of rain in inland areas.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

82 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 52 Overall satisfaction with recreational fishing for the 12 month diary period – as reported by

the main/key fisher aged 15 years and older, in each resident household with fishing

activity in NSW/ACT waters. Error bars represent one standard error.

Other Attitudinal Information

The opinions and attitudes of the main fisher/respondent (aged 15 years and older) in all fisher

and non-fisher households were also assessed in terms of eight fishing-related issues – details

of which, along with response profiles (raw data format) are provided below. Note: final coding

and analysis of these responses will be undertaken by Fisheries NSW staff.

In this questioning, the main fisher/respondent was invited to provide any comments or

suggestions relating to recreational fishing, initially in the form of a ‘top of mind’ response (i.e.

without prompting) and subsequently, through prompting on a range of structured categories

(see below). Among the 1,607 households that fully responded to the Wash-up/Attitudinal

Survey, 21 households did not contain a main fisher/respondent aged 15 years and over.

Therefore, the following details refer to 1,586 households – among which, 985 (or 62%) provided

at least one comment. Significantly higher comment rates occurred among households that

fished in the diary period (72%), than for non-fishing households (32%). In total, 2,692 separate

comments and suggestions were reported in the 8 categories below:

1) General initial comments (without prompting): 250 comments/suggestions across a range

of issues (not covered by Items 2 to 7 below);

2) “about particular fish or other species that you like to fish for ... or use as bait?”: 196

comments;

3) “about size or possession limits for any species?”: 436 comments;

4) “about any other regulations to do with recreational fishing?”: 614 comments;

5) “about ramps, jetties or other facilities?”: 335 comments;

6) “about waterways or the environment?”: 341 comments;

7) “about this survey?”: 492 comments;

8) “anything else?”: a total of just 28 comments (indicating strong coverage by the previous

categories).

Very

Satisfied

Quite

satisfied

Not very

satisfied

Not at all

satisfied

Unsure

% responses

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

83 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Fishing Club Membership and Final Survey Questions

In the Wash-up Attitudinal Survey, all residents aged five years and older who fished in

NSW/ACT waters during the diary period were assessed in terms of current membership of “a

fishing or diving club ... or association”. In response, an estimated 42,270 or 5.7% (SE 0.9%) of

all fishers reported membership of some kind.

In final questioning for the overall survey, all respondents were asked if they would like to

receive a copy of the survey results and among the 1,607 households, 1,301 (81%) said ‘yes’,

with higher rates among fisher households (86%) than for non-fishers (68%). Also, respondents

in the 1,129 fishing households were asked as to their availability for re-contact (if needed) for

any future research by Fisheries NSW and virtually all agreed (1,081 or 96%). Among the

remainder, 27 households answered as ‘unsure’, as opposed to the 21 who directly declined. In

‘Diary Survey’ (Page 16), the high response rates achieved in the various components of this

study were discussed. Yet, this latter result is perhaps the ultimate test of the efficacy of the

survey instrument.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

84 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Comparison of Key Survey Results – 2000/01 and 2013/14

Comparability of Results

In the remainder of this section, results from the NSW and ACT components of the NRFS in

2000/01 have been compared with the present survey to identify any changes or developments

in the recreational fishery over the thirteen year period. Importantly however, it should be noted

that despite the robust nature and fundamental comparability of the two studies (as discussed

below), the issue of inter-annual variability is a critical factor here – and especially in terms of the

natural availability of certain species and therefore the catch levels in a given year.

In terms of sample sizes, a key objective of the 2013/14 survey was to achieve a similar number

of households who completed the Diary Survey to optimise comparability with the NRFS –

namely, 1,661 households in 2001, compared with 1,681 in 2014. However to achieve this, a

45% larger sample was required for the Screening Survey (10,300 in 2000, compared with

14,908 in 2013), primarily due to lower fishing participation rates and related to this, lower diary

eligibility rates (or intention to fish) – 28% in 2000, compared with 21% in 2013. Also, somewhat

lower response rates occurred at screening (81% in 2000, compared with 76% in 2013), with

higher levels of ‘non-contacts’ being the primary difference. In terms of other response rates,

excellent results were achieved in both surveys, for example: 92% uptake of the 12 month Diary

Survey among eligible households in 2000, compared with 90% in 2013; and 91% completion of

the Diary Survey in 2001, compared with 93% in 2014.

The only analytical difference between the two surveys has been in how the fisher ‘drop-in’

adjustment was implemented in the 2000/01 survey. Although the NRFS included non-intending

fisher call-backs, the sample size proved insufficient to enable a robust ‘drop-in’ adjustment.

Therefore, an ‘equilibrium’ was assumed, whereby fishers who dropped-out of the fishery were

effectively replaced by counterparts assumed to have dropped-in, based on demographic and

avidity profiles (Lyle et al., 2009b).

Also, related to this was the fact that detailed catch and effort information was only collected

during the NRFS diary phase for ‘intending fishers’ in each household aged five years and older

at the Screening Survey – therefore requiring an additional ‘drop-in’ adjustment in the above

process for unexpected fishing by other household members. By contrast, all state/territory-wide

surveys since then have routinely monitored the fishing activity of all household members aged

five years and older at screening, i.e. where at least one household member reported an

intention to fish in the diary period.

Other minor comparability differences include: slight boundary changes by ABS in residential

strata (as discussed in ’Sampling Strata’, Page 9); collection of detailed fishing boat profiling

information in the Screening Survey for the NRFS, as opposed to the recent Wash-up/Attitudinal

Survey (and therefore a fourteen year ‘gap’); and the fact that individual respondents (aged 15

years and over) were randomly selected within each household for the NRFS Wash-

up/Attitudinal Survey, as opposed to the ‘main/key fisher’ for all subsequent state/territory-wide

surveys. Notwithstanding these factors, the application of a consistent survey methodology and

analytical procedures mean that the two datasets can be validly compared.

Fisher Characteristics

Participation – Overall and Regionally

Between 2000 and 2013 the estimated number of NSW/ACT residents aged five years and

older who fished at least once a year in NSW or ACT waters in the previous 12 months

decreased from 1,014,207 (SE 30,071) in 2000 to 836,632 (SE 27,456) in 2013 (Figure 53A;

Appendices 1 and 20). When expressed as a proportion of the resident population at the time,

this represents a significant decrease from 16.6% in 2000 to 11.7% in 2013 (Figure 53B) – close

to a 30% decrease in the participation rate over the 13 year period. However, trends of this kind

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

85 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

have been reported in all state/territory-wide surveys conducted since the NRFS and also

overseas, as discussed later in this section.

Figure 53 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters: A) number of persons; and B)

proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent one standard error.

When analysed by residential stratum, there were fewer fishers in 2013 in absolute terms, with

the exception of two strata – namely, the Illawarra (a minor increase from 69,270 in 2000 to

72,700 fishers in 2013) and the South West, where a relatively higher increase occurred, from

43,199 to 49,831 (Figure 54A; Appendix 20). However, the only increase in participation rate

occurred in the South West stratum (from 18.8% in 2000 to 20.1% 2013). Yet, all of these

increases are not statistically significant. By contrast, the largest proportional decreases

occurred in participation rates for the Mid North Coast (from 30.1% to 17.4%), the Hunter (from

24.6% to 15.1%) and the ACT (from 18.7% to 11.6%).

A B

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2000 2013

Fishers (x000)

2000 2013

Participation rate (%)

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

86 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 54 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters, by residential stratum: A)

number of persons; and B) proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent one

standard error. Note: the regional boundaries in 2000 differed slightly to those in 2013 -

the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) (Pink 2011).

Participation by Age and Gender

In absolute and relative terms the decrease in fishing participation between 2000 and 2013 was

more pronounced amongst females, from 320,665 (SE 14,266) fishers or 10.4% (SE 0.5%) of

females aged five years and older in 2000 to 239,361 (SE 11,880) fishers or 6.6% (SE 0.3%) in

2013. This compares with the decrease for males, from 693,542 (SE 20,298) fishers or 22.9%

(SE 0.7%) of males aged 5 years and older in 2000 to 597,270 (SE 19,265) or 16.9% (SE 0.5%)

in 2013.

When analysed by age, the number of fishers in the 45-59 years age group has remained quite

stable between 2000 and 2013, with an actual increase in the 60 years and older age group

(Figure 55A). However in both cases, this was entirely due to population growth, because

participation rates actually decreased during that time for the 45-59 years age group (from

Participation rate (%)

2000

2013

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fishers (x000)

2000

2013

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

87 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

15.1% to 12.0%) and to a lesser extent, for the 60 years and older age group (from 7.6% to

6.7%) (Figure 55B). Yet, the greatest rate of decrease in participation rates over the period

occurred in the 15-29 years age group (from 15.8% to 9.7%), followed by the 30-44 years age

group (from 19.5% to 13.4%) and to a lesser extent, the 5-14 years age group (from 25.1% to

19.6%) who continue to have the highest participation rate among the age groups (Figure 54B).

Figure 55 Recreational fishing participation in the 12 months prior to May 2000 and June 2013 by

residents aged five years and older in NSW/ACT waters, by age group: A) number of

persons; and B) proportion of the resident population. Error bars represent one standard

error.

As noted in ’Participation – Overall and Regionally’ (Page 84), a decrease in participation rates

has also occurred in other states, territories and overseas. In fact, based on the results from

various state/territory-wide surveys since the NRFS, the annual rate of decrease (i.e. the

proportional decrease in the participate rate) in NSW/ACT is very similar to Tasmania (Lyle et

al., 2014), with notably higher rates of decrease in all other jurisdictions, namely: Queensland

(Webley et al., in press); the Northern Territory (West et al., 2012); and South Australia (Jones

2009). Indeed, apart from some minor differences in the survey results and wording (for

NSW/ACT data and text), the following is an effectively direct quotation from the most recent

Tasmanian survey report (Lyle et al., 2014),

“The pattern of overall declining participation that is emerging appears to be linked to both the

ageing of the population and a decline in retention (rather than recruitment) of younger fishers,

noting that the highest participation rates have consistently been amongst children (<15 years).

100

150

200

250

300

350

5 to 14

15 to 29

30 to 44 45 to 59 60 plus

Fishers (x000)

Age group

2000

2013

5 to 14 15 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 59 60 plus

Participation rate (%)

Age group

2000

2013

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

88 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

As children enter adulthood there appears to be a general movement away from fishing as a

pastime, with the fishing participation rate amongst 15-29 year olds close to half the rate for 5-14

year olds. Furthermore, even though the number of persons aged 60 years and older in NSW

and the ACT is growing disproportionately to population size, resulting in an increase in numbers

of fishers in this age group, participation rates are consistently low for this age group. Thus, the

growth in numbers of older fishers has not been sufficient to offset the shift away from fishing in

the younger age groups .....”.

Fishing Effort

Between the two survey periods, 2000/01 and 2013/14, annual recreational fishing effort (fisher

days) in NSW/ACT waters decreased by 37% – partly linked to the decreased number of fishers,

but also due to a lower average number of days fished annually (per fisher). In 2000/01,

residents aged 5 years and older accounted for an estimated 5,026,293 (SE 265,243) fisher

days of effort in NSW/ACT waters, representing an annual mean of 5.6 days per fisher. In

2013/14, a lower 3,181,035 (SE 169,699) total fisher days emerged, with an annual mean of 4.3

days per fisher. In initial analysis of these changes, that equal rates of decrease (37%) occurred

in the number of fisher days for both freshwater and saltwater areas (Figure 56).

Figure 56 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 - by freshwater and

saltwater. Error bars represent one standard error.

When analysed by fishing platform, a slightly higher rate of decrease (40%) emerged for shore-

based fishing effort (fisher days) over the 13 year period, compared with boat-based fishing

(34%) (Figure 57). In terms of fishing method, line fishing effort decreased by 35% in the period,

with higher rates of decrease for pots/traps (63%) and ‘other methods’ (e.g. hand-collecting,

digging and pumps; 64%) and also for diving and net fishing (where high standard errors occur)

(Figure 58). However, a separate analysis of line fishing effort has revealed a greater than

average rate of decrease (41%) in fisher days where bait was used, compared with a significant

increase (36%) in total fisher days using lures and jigs. That is, the proportion of all line fishing

days using lures and jigs has risen from 14% in 2000/01 to 23% in 2013/14.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

89 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 57 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing platform

(boat and shore). Error bars represent one standard error.

Figure 58 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing method.

Error bars represent one standard error.

When analysed by water body type, a higher than average rate of decrease in fishing effort

(fisher days) emerged for in-shore coastal waters (53%) and also for freshwater lakes/dams

(43%). Lower than average levels of decrease occurred for all other water body types: offshore

waters (32%); estuarine waters (29%); and freshwater rivers (24%) (Figure 59). In terms of

fishing zones, higher than average rates of decrease in fishing effort (fisher days) occurred in the

majority of zones, with many at around half (50%) the 2000/01 level. However, lower than

average rates of decrease occurred in three cases: the Sydney zone (16%); the Mid South

Coast (20%) and the Murray/South West (30%) (Figure 60). The estimated numbers of fishers

and fisher days by fishing zone in 2000/01 and 2013/14 are presented in Appendix 21.

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Boat Shore

Fisher days (x000)

2000-01

2013-14

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Line Pot/trap Net Dive Other

Fisher days (x000)

2000-01

2013-14

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

90 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 59 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by water body type.

Error bars represent one standard error.

Figure 60 Comparison of fishing effort (fisher days) by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by fishing zone.

Error bars represent one standard error.

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Offshore Inshore Estuary River

Lake/dam

Fisher days (x000)

2000-01

2013-14

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Fisher days (x000)

2000-01

2013-14

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

91 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Catch

Catch details for key species in 2000/01 and 2013/14 are provided in Appendices 22 and 23,

with comparisons for key marine species in Figure 61 and freshwater species in Figure 62. An

estimated 37,347,987 organisms were caught (kept and released) by resident recreational

fishers in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 14,059,634 in 2013/14, representing

an overall rate of decrease of 62% – and substantially higher than the 37% decrease in fishing

effort (fisher days) between the two periods (see ‘Fishing Effort’, Page 88).

Appendix 22 provides total catch details for some 39 key species/groups, covering the vast

majority of the total catch of all organisms in 2000/01 and 2013/14 (i.e. 93% and 94%

respectively, of the above estimates) – and again, with an overall rate of decrease of 62%.

Note: due to broader coding in the NRFS, several key species have necessarily been grouped in

these analyses, namely flathead, trevally and whiting.

When the total catch of all finfish are compared (excluding small baitfish species), a lesser

overall rate of decrease of 49% emerges (Appendix 22). This compares with a 35% decrease

in line fishing effort (fisher days) between the two periods (see ‘Fishing Effort’, Page 88,). In

terms of total catch of small baitfish species (Blue Mackerel, mullet, Yellowtail Scad and ‘other

small baitfish’), an overall 48% decrease rate emerged – although high levels of variability and

standard errors occurred (Appendix 22). However, for the various crustaceans a substantially

higher overall rate of decrease (77%) occurred between the two periods, but again with high

standard error levels in many cases. Yet, this is largely consistent with the decreases in related

fishing effort (fisher days) for methods such as pots/traps, nets and hand-collecting – all

decrease rates for which, were 63% or higher (see ‘Fishing Effort’, Page 88). Note: comparisons

for all other taxa are limited due to small sample sizes and high standard errors. However, a

separate analysis of the total catch by line fishing has shown a doubling of the proportion

attributable to lures, jigs and flies from 10% in 2000/01 to 20% in 2013/14.

Appendix 23 provides comparative harvest estimates (kept numbers) on the same basis as for

Appendix 22. An overall rate of decrease of 69% emerged in total harvest numbers between the

two surveys, compared with 62% for the total catch. When the total harvest levels of all finfish

are compared (excluding small baitfish species), a lesser overall rate of decrease of 57%

emerges (Appendix 23). In terms of the harvest of small baitfish species (Blue Mackerel, mullet,

Yellowtail Scad and ‘other small baitfish’), an overall 36% decrease rate emerged – although

high levels of variability and standard errors occurred (Appendix 23). For the various

crustaceans a substantially higher overall rate of decrease (80%) occurred between the two

periods, but again with high standard error levels in many cases. Similarly, comparisons for

other taxa are limited by standard error levels.

Also, when the results in Appendices 22 and 23 are compared in terms of the proportion of the

total catch that was released, a lower overall proportion (30%) emerged for key species in

2000/01, than for 2013/14 (43%) – with key finfish (excluding bait species) at 52% (2000/01) and

59% (2013/14). Comparative data for release proportions, along with total catch and harvest

estimates for key species are depicted in Figures. 61 and 62.

Note: comparisons of total catch, harvest and release rates for key species between the two

periods are provided in ’Broad Catch Rates – Line fishing’ (Page 95).

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

92 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 61 Total catch numbers (kept and released), harvest numbers (kept), and proportion (%) of

the total catch released for key marine species, by residents aged five years and older

who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error.

100

120

160

200

2000-01

2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Mulloway

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Luderick

Total

Kept

% rel

100

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Flathead

Total

Kept

% rel

100

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Bream

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Tailor

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Snapper

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Aust. Salmon

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

250

300

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Silver Trevally

Total

Kept

% rel

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

93 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 61, continued

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2000-01

2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Mullet

Total

Kept

% rel

100

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Whiting

Total

Kept

% rel

100

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Mud Crab

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

300

400

500

600

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Blue Swimmer Crab

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Yellowtail Scad

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

250

300

350

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Blue Mackerel

Total

Kept

% rel

100

120

140

160

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Yellowtail Kingfish

Total

Kept

% rel

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

94 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 62 Total catch numbers (kept and released), harvest numbers (kept), and proportion (%) of

the total catch released for key freshwater species, by residents aged five years and older

who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars

represent one standard error.

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Trout

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Freshwater yabby

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

250

300

2000-01

2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Aust. Bass

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Golden Perch

Total

Kept

% rel

100

150

200

250

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Murray Cod

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

400

600

800

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

European Carp

Total

Kept

% rel

100

200

300

400

500

600

2000-01 2013-14

Released (%)

Catch (x000)

Redfin Perch

Total

Kept

% rel

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

95 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Broad Catch Rates – Line Fishing

Definitions and Methods

The information in this section provides additional assessment of changes in the recreational

fishery between the two survey periods – based on broad catch rate analyses, which were

specifically developed for this purpose in the RecSurvey analysis package.

To optimise comparability and data utility, this catch rate analysis was restricted to line fishing

methods, which accounted for the vast majority all fishing effort (fisher days) in the 2000/01 and

2013/14 surveys (95% and 97%, respectively). Other methods such as pots/traps and nets were

excluded, due to the high levels of variability in terms of catch, effort and therefore catch rates

(e.g. prawns and yabbies). However, comparative catch information for key ‘non-fish’ species

has been included in ‘Catch’ (Page 91), and Appendix 22.

Only ‘desirable’ finfish species/groups were included in this analysis, both in terms of total catch

and targeted fishing effort. Desirable finfish species were defined as generally being regarded

as either good quality ‘table’ fish and/or sportfish species. Examples of marine species/groups

considered ‘undesirable’ include Red Rock Cod, sharks/rays and wrasse/gropers. These

exclusions were based on high release rates and ‘un-wanted’ being identified as the primary

reason for release (see Table 7 and ’Reasons for Release’, Page 31). Whereas no freshwater

finfish species were excluded on this basis, European Carp were routinely classified as

‘undesirable’. Also, fish species predominantly used as bait were excluded, e.g. Blue mackerel,

mullet and Yellowtail Scad, to enhance the stability of the analysis.

Therefore broad annual catch rate data were calculated at the household (PSU) level as the

number of desirable finfish species caught per fisher day, i.e. where line fishing for any desirable

finfish species occurred. For example, where a fisher targeted Murray Cod on a given day and

only caught European Carp, this would be included as a ‘zero’ catch day. On the other hand, in

the (albeit rare) case where the only target was European Carp, this would be totally excluded

from the analysis – regardless of any ultimate catch. However, virtually all line fishing events

were included in this analysis for both 2000/01and 2013/14 (97% and 96%, respectively). In

both cases, less than 1% of line fishing events were excluded on the basis of ‘undesirable’

species targets, with other exclusions referring to either baitfish or non-fish targets (e.g. Blue

Swimmer Crabs).

Importantly, the catch rate analyses were confined to broad/non-directed effort at one of three

levels, namely where any desirable finfish species/group was targeted: (i) all line fishing days; (ii)

line fishing days in saltwater versus freshwater; and (iii) line fishing days in four water body types

(ocean, estuaries, rivers and lakes/dams).

In reviewing the following results, a number of factors need to be carefully considered including:

the issue of inter-annual variability (such as natural changes in abundance of species and also

environmental/weather factors, e.g. floods); changes in fishing practices, target preferences and

technology over time; and changes in regulations such as size and bag/possession limits.

Accordingly, the results in this section almost entirely refer to total catch rates, as opposed to

harvest rates – where for example, changes in regulations can have a significant impact.

However, a range of harvest rate analyses have been provided as an output of the project. Also,

the results in ‘Catch’ (Page 28) and Appendix 23 should be used for any review of harvest levels

for particular species. Other data sources should also be used where appropriate, e.g. annual

harvest data from the commercial sector to provide a perspective on inter-annual variability.

Broad Catch Rates

In this catch rate analysis, a total catch of 17,734,886 (SE 1,679,611) desirable finfish

species/groups (freshwater and saltwater) was estimated for the 2000/01 survey, compared with

8,565,676 (SE 728,516) for 2013/14 – representing a significant decrease of 52%. Comparable

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

96 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

total fisher days of line-fishing were estimated at 4,681,582 (SE 252,651) for 2000/01 and

3,031,427 (SE 159,467) for 2013/14 – representing a significant decrease of 35%.

A resultant total catch rate of 3.79 (SE 0.25) desirable finfish per fisher day emerged for

2000/01, compared with 2.83 (SE 0.16) for 2013/14 – representing a lesser, but still significant

decrease of 25%. However, when analysed in terms of the proportion of ‘successful’ fisher days

(i.e. at least some catch) versus ‘unsuccessful’ (or ‘zero’ catch) days, there was no significant

difference between the surveys, with 31% and 33% ‘zero’ catch days, respectively.

Note: comparable total harvest rates were 1.85 (SE 0.14) desirable finfish per fisher day for

2000/01, compared with 1.12 (SE 0.08) for 2013/14 – representing a greater and significant

decrease of 39%. However, comparable release rates were 1.94 (SE 0.13) desirable finfish per

fisher day for 2000/01, compared with 1.71 (SE 0.12) during 2013/14 – representing a minor and

non-significant decrease of 12%.

Overall total catch rates for desirable saltwater finfish species were 4.31 per fisher day (SE 0.30)

for 2000/01, compared with 3.20 (SE 0.19) for 2013/14 – representing a significant decrease of

26% (Figure 63 and Appendix 24). However, no significant difference emerged in terms of ‘zero’

catch days between 2000/01 and 2013/14 – namely, 26% and 30% respectively.

Equivalent results for desirable freshwater finfish were 1.75 per fisher day (SE 0.17) for 2000/01,

compared with 1.39 (SE 0.14) for 2013/14 – representing a non-significant decrease of 20%

(Figure 63 and Appendix 25). Also, no significance difference emerged in terms of ‘zero’ catch

days between 2000/01 and 2013/14 – namely, 48% and 46% respectively.

Figure 63 Mean line fishing catch rates of ‘desirable’ finfish species, by residents aged five years

and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by

saltwater and freshwater. Error bars represent one standard error.

In terms of key saltwater finfish species, tailor had the greatest decrease in total catch rate, from

0.32 fish per fisher day (SE 0.04) in 2000/01, compared with 0.12 (SE 0.02) for 2013/14 –

representing a significant decrease of 62% (Figure 64) and especially so in estuarine waters

(Appendix 24). A significant decrease in catch rate (60%) also occurred for leatherjackets and

predominantly in estuarine waters. Lesser overall rates of decrease occurred for various other

species ranging from whiting (50%) through to Snapper (6%) and flathead (3%). However,

among these, the only significant change occurred in terms of the catch rate for bream in ocean

waters (a decrease of 59%) – compared with a 12% decrease in estuaries and an overall

decrease of 20% (Appendix 24). On the other hand, increased catch rates emerged for three

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Total Kept Release

Catch rate (no. per fisher day)

Catch

Freshwater

2000-01

2013-14

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

Total Kept Release

Catch rate (no. per fisher day)

Catch

Saltwater

2000-01

2013-14

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

97 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

key saltwater species, although none was statistically significant. The overall catch rate for

Mulloway increased by 68% between the two periods and predominantly in estuarine waters.

Also, Australian Salmon increased by 35%, (mainly in estuarine waters) and Yellowtail Kingfish

by 21% (predominantly in ocean waters).

In terms of key freshwater finfish species, Golden Perch had the greatest decrease in total catch

rate from 0.12 fish per fisher day (SE 0.02) in 2000/01 to 0.05 (SE 0.01) for 2013/14 –

representing a significant decrease of 61% (Figure 64), with decreases in both rivers and

lakes/dams (Appendix 25). Lesser overall rates of decrease occurred for Redfin Perch (41%)

and trout (25%). However, a slight increase (24%) occurred in catch rates for trout in

lakes/dams, but this was offset by a larger and significant decrease (73%) in river catch rates

(Appendix 25). Increased catch rates occurred for Australian Bass (over 300% and mainly in

lakes/dams), and for Murray Cod (60%), mainly in rivers (Appendix 25). However in both cases,

high standard errors mean that little statistical significance can be attached to these increases.

Figure 64 Mean line fishing catch rates of key saltwater and freshwater finfish species/groups by

residents aged five years and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01,

compared with 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error.

Boats

As noted in ’Comparability of Results’ (Page 84), all information regarding boats was collected in

the NRFS screening phase (2000), whereas only broad boat ownership was assessed at the

screening in 2013. Analysis of these results shows that 257,339 (SE 10,097) NSW/ACT

resident households owned at least one boat in 2000, representing an overall household

ownership rate of 10%, compared with 320,818 (SE 11,381) in 2013 and an overall boat

ownership rate of 11%. Substantially higher boat ownership rates emerged for those

households with any fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters in the 12 months prior to the Screening

Survey – 34% in 2000 and 38% in 2013. By contrast, much lower ownership rates were

reported by non-fishing households – 4% in 2000 and 6% in 2013.

In terms of boat profiling for fishing households, this information was collected in the Screening

Survey in 2000 and in the Wash-up/Attitudinal Survey in 2014 – hence a 14 year ‘gap’ applies to

the following results. In 2000, 171,009 (SE 7,792) NSW/ACT resident fishing households

reported owning 204,457 (SE 10,016) individual boats – a mean of 1.20 per household. A

majority of these boats (77%) were used at least once for recreational fishing in the previous 12

months (156,459 boats; SE 8,307). In 2014, 180,622 (SE 10,322) NSW/ACT resident fishing

households reported 230,118 (SE 13,435) individual boats – a mean of 1.27 per household.

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

Bream Flathead Whiting Tailor Snapper

Catch rate (no. per fisher day)

Saltwater

2000-01

2013-14

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

Golden

Perch

Redfin

Perch

Trout Murray

Cod

Aust.

Bass

Catch rate (no. per fisher day)

Freshwater

2000-01

2013-14

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

98 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Again, a majority of these boats (76%) were used at least once for recreational fishing in the

previous 12 months (173,895 boats; SE 10,873).

The following results refer to the recreational fishing ‘fleet’ for the two periods, namely 156,459

boats in 2000/01 and 173,895 boats in 2013/14. Firstly in terms of residential strata, the

proportions of all fishing boats were very similar for seven of the ten strata e.g. Sydney

accounted for 37% of all boats in 2000 and 36% in 2014. However, a proportional decrease

occurred in the Hunter stratum from 17% in 2000 to 10% in 2014, with a minor proportional

increase in the Illawarra (from 8% to 11%) and also in the South West (from 5% to 9%). Yet,

these results are at least partially linked to changes in fishing participation rates – namely, the

Hunter had the greatest decrease over the period and the South West showed an actual

increase (see ’Participation – Overall and Regionally’, Page 84).

Over three-quarters of the fleet were trailer boats in both periods, namely 76% in 2000 and 77%

in 2014, with an increase in the proportion of ‘car-toppers’ (from 8% to 12%) and smaller (but not

significant) proportions of boats kept on the shore, or a mooring/marina berth. In terms of overall

length, an increased proportion emerged for the smallest size group, i.e. less than 4 metres,

from 20% in 2000 to 26% in 2014, with little difference for the 4-4.9 metres group (from 42% to

40%) and no change for the 5-5.9 metres group (26% in both periods). However, a minor

decrease occurred among larger boats (6 metres or more) from 12% to 9%. In terms of main

propulsion method, power craft (of some kind) dominated the fleet in both periods, with a

decrease in the proportion of ‘Other Power’ craft from 89% in 2000 to 82% in 2014 (Figure 65).

On the other hand, a significant increase occurred in the proportion of ‘Row/paddle’ boats (from

8% to 16%; Figure 65) and this is consistent with the trend towards ‘car-toppers’ and smaller

craft (as noted above) and the increased popularity of kayaks for recreational fishing.

Figure 65 Proportion (%) of recreational fishing boats used by residents in NSW/ACT waters during

2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by main propulsion method. Error bars represent one

standard error.

With regard to electronic fishing aids (whether as fixtures or in portable form), significant

increases have emerged in terms of echo sounder (‘fish finder’) availability, namely a

proportional increase of more than half, from 36% of all fishing boats in 2000, to 56% in 2014

(Figure 66A). However, a three-fold increase occurred for GPS availability from 12% in 2000 to

39% in 2014 (Figure 66B).

100

Jetski Other Power Row/Paddle Sail

% Fishing boats

2000

2014

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

99 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Figure 66 Proportion (%) of recreational fishing boats used by residents in NSW/ACT waters during

2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – with availability of: A) echo sounder or ‘fish finder’; and

B) global positioning system (GPS). Error bars represent one standard error.

In terms of proportional usage for recreational fishing, as opposed to other activities (e.g. water

skiing) over the previous 12 months, an average of 78% usage was reported for all fishing boats

in 2000, compared with 82% for 2014. Also, based on current market valuations by respondents

(at the time), a total value of $1.204 billion (SE $165 million) was estimated for the recreational

fishing fleet in 2000, compared with $1.535 billion (SE $139 million) for 2014 – representing a

mean of $7,694 per boat for 2000, compared with $8,826 for 2014. When individual attribution

rates are applied (i.e. annual proportional usage for fishing), the value of the fleet directly

attributable to recreational fishing was $794 million (SE $79 million) in 2000, compared with

$1.132 billion (SE $90 million) in 2014 – representing a mean of $5,075 per boat for 2000,

compared with $6,509 for 2014.

Club Membership and Attitudinal Results

Membership of a “fishing or diving club ... or association” was assessed in the NRFS Screening

Survey (2000), whereas in the present study, this questioning was included in the Wash-

up/Attitudinal Survey (2014). In response, very similar proportions reported club membership in

both periods, i.e. among residents aged five years and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters

during the previous 12 months – namely 6.1% (SE 0.6%) in 2000, compared with 5.7% (SE

0.9%) in 2014.

As reported in ’Recreational Fishing Motivations’ (Page 80), respondents were presented with

eight motivational factors, representing both catch and non-catch related components of the

recreational fishing experience and asked to rate each as being: ‘very important’, ‘quite

important’, ‘not very important’ or ‘not at all important’. As an additional analysis, values were

assigned to the responses, on a scale from 1 (not at all important) up to 4 (very important). This

question sequence was also asked in the NRFS and results from both surveys have been

included in Table 19 – on the basis of expanded estimates of fishing households reporting “at

least quite important” and the weighted mean score (from 1 to 4) for each of the motivational

factors. Interestingly, very similar results emerged in all but one case, where a minor increase

occurred for “to spend time with your family”.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

100 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Table 19 Relative importance of motivational factors for recreational fishing - by fishers aged 15

years and over in resident households with recreational fishing activity in NSW/ACT

waters - comparison of results from 2001 and 2014.

% at least quite

important

Mean score (min. 1

to max. 4)

Motivational factor

2001

2014

2001

2014

To relax or unwind

91.6

91.8

3.56

3.52

To be outdoors, in the fresh air … to enjoy nature

94.2

95.5

3.57

3.63

To be on your own ... to get away from people

39.6

40.8

2.38

2.42

To spend time with your family

68.2

78.7

2.96

3.26

To spend time with your friends

76.9

79.8

3.06

3.18

To compete in fishing competitions of any kind

6.4

4.6

1.30

1.20

For the enjoyment or sport of catching fish, crabs etc.

80.8

85.4

3.24

3.26

To catch fresh fish, crabs etc. for food

56.1

58.3

2.74

2.75

As reported in ’Satisfaction with Fishing’ (Page 81), respondents were asked how satisfied they

were with the overall quality of their fishing during the diary period and this question sequence

was also applied in the NRFS. Comparative results from both surveys are presented in Figure

67, where a significant increase in general satisfaction occurred – with 61% reporting being at

least ‘quite satisfied’ in 2001, compared with 76% in 2014. When analysed by residential

stratum, a significant proportional increase occurred in the Richmond/Tweed area – from just

36% reporting ‘at least quite satisfied’ in 2001 to 71% in 2014. After analysis of the reported

reasons for dissatisfaction in 2001, various issues concerning the lower Richmond River

emerged – including flooding, related environmental problems and subsequent closure of the

river to commercial and recreational fishing by the NSW government. However, for all other

residential strata, largely consistent proportional increases occurred in overall satisfaction levels

between 2001 and 2014.

Figure 67 Comparison of overall satisfaction with recreational fishing for the 12 month diary period –

as reported by fishers in resident households with fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters in

2000/01, compared with 2013/14. Error bars represent one standard error.

Very

Satisfied

Quite

satisfied

Not very

satisfied

Not at all

satisfied

Unsure

% responses

2000

2014

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

101 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

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West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

104 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendices

Appendix 1 Estimated number and proportion of the NSW and ACT resident population aged five years and older who fished recreationally in NSW or the

ACT during the 12 months prior to June 2013 - by gender, age and residential stratum. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%.

Residential

stratum

Male

Female

Total

Age

group

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Sydney

5 to 14

293,354

56,760

6,636

19.3

2.3

276,890

29,231

4,789

10.6

1.7

570,244

85,991

9,377

15.1

1.6

15 to 29

506,173

47,768

6,818

9.4

1.3

498,240

16,984

3,695

3.4

0.7

1,004,413

64,752

8,435

6.4

0.8

30 to 44

529,722

79,622

7,923

15.0

1.5

540,154

22,935

4,090

4.2

0.8

1,069,876

102,558

10,154

9.6

0.9

45 to 59

437,395

62,086

5,565

14.2

1.3

452,960

21,762

3,366

4.8

0.7

890,355

83,849

7,594

9.4

0.9

60 plus

389,039

30,678

3,558

7.9

0.9

434,587

7,731

1,820

1.8

0.4

823,626

38,409

4,392

4.7

0.5

Total

2,155,683

276,915

16,897

12.8

0.8

2,202,831

98,644

9,942

4.5

0.5

4,358,514

375,558

23,716

8.6

0.5

Hunter

5 to 14

39,866

10,501

1,694

26.3

4.2

37,463

8,592

1,583

22.9

4.2

77,329

19,094

2,588

24.7

3.3

15 to 29

61,974

11,609

1,874

18.7

3.0

59,346

5,006

1,326

8.4

2.2

121,320

16,615

2,515

13.7

2.1

30 to 44

58,706

15,265

1,910

26.0

3.3

59,255

7,206

1,331

12.2

2.2

117,961

22,471

2,819

19.0

2.4

45 to 59

60,150

13,180

1,587

21.9

2.6

60,984

3,731

851

6.1

1.4

121,134

16,911

2,058

14.0

1.7

60 plus

63,630

8,620

1,120

13.5

1.8

70,252

2,488

577

3.5

0.8

133,882

11,108

1,431

8.3

1.1

Total

284,326

59,176

4,615

20.8

1.6

287,300

27,024

3,241

9.4

1.1

571,626

86,200

6,858

15.1

1.2

Illawarra

5 to 14

27,886

12,067

1,739

43.3

6.2

26,405

7,137

1,142

27.0

4.3

54,291

19,204

2,438

35.4

4.5

15 to 29

41,048

9,383

1,548

22.9

3.8

39,216

2,820

1,128

7.2

2.9

80,264

12,204

2,064

15.2

2.6

30 to 44

37,857

11,234

1,451

29.7

3.8

39,369

5,314

1,132

13.5

2.9

77,226

16,548

2,175

21.4

2.8

45 to 59

42,357

9,988

1,300

23.6

3.1

44,075

3,878

796

8.8

1.8

86,432

13,866

1,755

16.0

2.0

60 plus

50,219

8,879

1,194

17.7

2.4

54,729

1,999

493

3.7

0.9

104,948

10,879

1,418

10.4

1.4

Total

199,367

51,551

3,883

25.9

1.9

203,794

21,149

2,627

10.4

1.3

403,161

72,700

5,661

18.0

1.4

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

105 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 1, continued

Residential

stratum

Male

Female

Total

Age

group

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Richmond/Tweed

5 to 14

15,172

5,808

950

38.3

6.3

14,649

3,302

736

22.5

5.0

29,821

9,110

1,333

30.5

4.5

15 to 29

18,668

3,585

847

19.2

4.5

18,276

2,590

974

14.2

5.3

36,944

6,175

1,326

16.7

3.6

30 to 44

19,261

7,811

913

40.6

4.7

21,407

3,046

648

14.2

3.0

40,668

10,857

1,299

26.7

3.2

45 to 59

25,274

5,515

794

21.8

3.1

27,082

2,608

573

9.6

2.1

52,356

8,123

1,143

15.5

2.2

60 plus

29,460

3,885

645

13.2

2.2

31,777

1,046

310

3.3

1.0

61,237

4,932

798

8.1

1.3

Total

107,835

26,603

2,187

24.7

2.0

113,191

12,593

1,773

11.1

1.6

221,026

39,196

3,470

17.7

1.6

Mid North Coast

5 to 14

22,013

7,406

1,403

33.6

6.4

20,967

4,134

1,197

19.7

5.7

42,980

11,541

2,087

26.9

4.9

15 to 29

25,239

5,820

1,205

23.1

4.8

24,768

2,242

1,051

9.1

4.2

50,007

8,062

1,813

16.1

3.6

30 to 44

25,102

9,391

1,309

37.4

5.2

27,510

3,943

957

14.3

3.5

52,612

13,334

1,934

25.3

3.7

45 to 59

35,051

7,272

1,164

20.7

3.3

37,849

3,837

865

10.1

2.3

72,900

11,109

1,761

15.2

2.4

60 plus

49,668

8,841

1,030

17.8

2.1

51,782

2,647

570

5.1

1.1

101,450

11,488

1,333

11.3

1.3

Total

157,073

38,730

3,221

24.7

2.1

162,876

16,803

2,425

10.3

1.5

319,949

55,533

5,026

17.4

1.6

Central West/North

5 to 14

27,662

5,995

1,279

21.7

4.6

25,882

5,520

1,167

21.3

4.5

53,544

11,515

1,853

21.5

3.5

15 to 29

36,734

7,450

1,607

20.3

4.4

35,392

2,604

947

7.4

2.7

72,126

10,054

2,171

13.9

3.0

30 to 44

33,117

9,440

1,311

28.5

4.0

34,520

4,998

978

14.5

2.8

67,637

14,438

1,969

21.3

2.9

45 to 59

38,577

9,940

1,190

25.8

3.1

38,114

3,991

817

10.5

2.1

76,691

13,931

1,604

18.2

2.1

60 plus

43,273

5,470

915

12.6

2.1

45,460

766

295

1.7

0.6

88,733

6,235

1,036

7.0

1.2

Total

179,363

38,295

3,468

21.4

1.9

179,368

17,879

2,392

10.0

1.3

358,731

56,174

5,207

15.7

1.5

North West

5 to 14

8,495

2,386

417

28.1

4.9

7,937

1,903

409

24.0

5.2

16,432

4,289

671

26.1

4.1

15 to 29

10,744

2,622

536

24.4

5.0

10,439

1,240

370

11.9

3.5

21,183

3,862

737

18.2

3.5

30 to 44

9,943

3,059

401

30.8

4.0

10,562

1,601

317

15.2

3.0

20,505

4,660

615

22.7

3.0

45 to 59

11,909

3,627

442

30.5

3.7

11,762

1,188

282

10.1

2.4

23,671

4,815

596

20.3

2.5

60 plus

13,031

1,461

271

11.2

2.1

13,229

431

128

3.3

1.0

26,260

1,892

328

7.2

1.2

Total

54,122

13,155

1,160

24.3

2.1

53,929

6,364

878

11.8

1.6

108,051

19,519

1,806

18.1

1.7

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

106 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 1, continued

Residential

stratum

Male

Female

Total

Age

group

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

Pop'n

Fishers

fishers

South East

5 to 14

14,381

4,698

989

32.7

6.9

13,553

2,695

891

19.9

6.6

27,934

7,393

1,498

26.5

5.4

15 to 29

17,854

6,025

1,122

33.7

6.3

16,685

2,153

673

12.9

4.0

34,539

8,178

1,567

23.7

4.5

30 to 44

18,672

5,424

810

29.1

4.3

19,838

3,222

690

16.2

3.5

38,510

8,647

1,273

22.5

3.3

45 to 59

23,862

7,371

936

30.9

3.9

23,637

2,973

644

12.6

2.7

47,499

10,344

1,263

21.8

2.7

60 plus

26,592

5,913

735

22.2

2.8

26,990

1,411

360

5.2

1.3

53,582

7,324

918

13.7

1.7

Total

101,361

29,431

2,503

29.0

2.5

100,703

12,455

1,832

12.4

1.8

202,064

41,886

3,850

20.7

1.9

South West

5 to 14

18,418

6,927

1,096

37.6

5.9

17,612

4,383

916

24.9

5.2

36,030

11,309

1,598

31.4

4.4

15 to 29

25,874

7,212

1,269

27.9

4.9

25,098

3,774

948

15.0

3.8

50,972

10,987

1,675

21.6

3.3

30 to 44

23,336

9,325

1,032

40.0

4.4

23,687

3,281

706

13.8

3.0

47,023

12,606

1,477

26.8

3.1

45 to 59

26,603

6,019

848

22.6

3.2

26,536

2,751

583

10.4

2.2

53,139

8,770

1,138

16.5

2.1

60 plus

30,082

5,343

753

17.8

2.5

31,093

816

271

2.6

0.9

61,175

6,159

850

10.1

1.4

Total

124,313

34,827

2,750

28.0

2.2

124,026

15,005

1,868

12.1

1.5

248,339

49,831

4,009

20.1

1.6

ACT

5 to 14

22,610

5,003

917

22.1

4.1

21,604

2,359

653

10.9

3.0

44,214

7,362

1,265

16.7

2.9

15 to 29

41,847

7,168

1,311

17.1

3.1

41,267

2,401

847

5.8

2.1

83,114

9,569

1,766

11.5

2.1

30 to 44

43,156

7,256

1,125

16.8

2.6

43,534

4,264

895

9.8

2.1

86,690

11,520

1,681

13.3

1.9

45 to 59

34,389

6,736

972

19.6

2.8

35,876

1,615

428

4.5

1.2

70,265

8,350

1,178

11.9

1.7

60 plus

28,129

2,423

572

8.6

2.0

31,648

809

291

2.6

0.9

59,777

3,232

706

5.4

1.2

Total

170,131

28,586

2,631

16.8

1.5

173,929

11,447

1,585

6.6

0.9

344,060

40,034

3,708

11.6

1.1

Total - NSW/ACT

5 to 14

489,857

117,551

7,591

24.0

1.5

462,962

69,256

5,684

15.0

1.2

952,819

186,807

10,816

19.6

1.1

15 to 29

786,155

108,643

7,875

13.8

1.0

768,727

41,815

4,673

5.4

0.6

1,554,882

150,458

10,021

9.7

0.6

30 to 44

798,872

157,828

8,714

19.8

1.1

819,836

59,811

4,894

7.3

0.6

1,618,708

217,639

11,493

13.4

0.7

45 to 59

735,567

131,733

6,428

17.9

0.9

758,875

48,335

3,930

6.4

0.5

1,494,442

180,068

8,752

12.0

0.6

60 plus

723,123

81,515

4,377

11.3

0.6

791,547

20,144

2,169

2.5

0.3

1,514,670

101,659

5,386

6.7

0.4

Total

3,533,574

597,270

19,265

16.9

0.5

3,601,947

239,361

11,880

6.6

0.3

7,135,521

836,632

27,456

11.7

0.4

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

107 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 2 Annual recreational catch (total, kept and released numbers) in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14 by residents aged five years and older - by

reporting group and species. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30

households recorded catches of the species.

Total

Kept

Released

Reporting group

Standard Fish Name

Scientific name/s

Number

Bream

Acanthopagrus spp.

2,205,656

299,714

614,434

107,686

1,591,221

246,909

Flathead, Dusky

Dusky Flathead

Platycephalus fuscus

1,058,613

132,768

481,164

63,864

577,448

82,707

Flathead, Sand

Sand Flathead

Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus & bassensis

962,892

181,433

440,763

98,777

522,129

89,480

Flathead, Tiger

Tiger Flathead

Platycephalus richardsoni

82,330

31,558

39,417

14,738

42,913

19,117

Leatherjacket

Balistidae & Monacanthidae - undifferentiated

116,622

26,752

71,269

21,133

45,353

11,091

Luderick

Girella tricuspidata

428,213

186,579

250,074

102,050

178,139

90,456

Mulloway

Argyrosomus hololepidotus

111,573

35,512

21,361

4,481

90,211

34,588

Red Rock Cod

Scorpaena jacksoniensis

151,531

34,435

6,430

3,022

145,100

33,952

Salmon, Australian

Australian Salmon

Arripis spp.

144,706

27,036

73,535

17,779

71,171

17,321

Sharks

Gummy Shark

Mustelus antarcticus

4,000

1,553

1,020

432

2,980

1,449

Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrnidae - undifferentiated

2,030

1,824

2,030

1,824

Mako Shark

Isurus oxyrinchus

297

209

297

209

Port Jackson Shark

Heterodontus portusjacksoni

3,240

1,715

3,240

1,715

School Shark

Galeorhinus galeus

386

385

386

385

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

268

247

268

247

Whaler Shark

Carcharhinidae

13,488

6,634

1,683

978

11,805

6,504

Wobbegong Shark

Brachaeluridae - undifferentiated

9,510

5,234

9,510

5,234

Shark, other

Several families - undifferentiated

613

458

613

458

Shark, unspecified

Several families - undifferentiated

3,871

1,616

3,871

1,616

Rays

Shovelnose Ray

Aptychotrema rostrata

35,627

10,515

1,959

864

33,668

10,243

Ray, other

Dasyatidae - undifferentiated

34,506

7,064

234

233

34,272

7,060

Ray, unspecified

Dasyatidae - undifferentiated

1,103

713

1,103

713

Silver Trevally

Pseudocaranx dentex

87,501

23,509

49,081

17,410

38,420

8,952

Snapper

Pagrus auratus

755,350

144,387

185,590

29,943

569,760

135,449

Swallowtail Dart

Trachinotus coppingeri

118,935

39,889

43,275

18,872

75,661

25,676

Tailor

Pomatomus saltatrix

363,147

59,901

189,614

40,826

173,533

32,817

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

108 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 2, continued

Total

Kept

Released

Reporting group

Standard Fish Name

Scientific name/s

Number

Tunas

Albacore Tuna

Thunnus alalunga

2,267

1,664

1,164

827

1,104

954

Bonito

Sarda spp.

48,082

28,429

40,231

24,104

7,851

4,769

Mackerel Tuna

Euthynnus affinis

2,394

1,022

1,562

751

832

567

Northern Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus tonggol

828

590

665

519

163

162

Skipjack Tuna

Katsuwonus pelamis

966

700

966

700

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

2,510

943

1,745

716

765

455

Whiting, Sand

Sand Whiting

Sillago ciliata

568,827

111,478

247,470

56,795

321,357

68,607

Whiting, School

School Whiting

Sillago flindersi

11,807

4,278

4,995

2,078

6,813

2,645

Whiting, Trumpeter

Trumpeter Whiting

Sillago maculata

152,986

104,916

123,580

100,107

29,406

18,174

Wrasse/gropers

Blue Groper

Achoerodus viridis

9,620

4,834

3,529

1,985

6,092

4,248

Maori Wrasse

Ophthalmolepis lineolata

18,088

6,027

4,141

1,565

13,946

5,541

Pigfish

Bodianus unimaculatus

2,374

1,166

1,901

944

473

489

Parrotfish

Scaridae - undifferentiated

8,567

4,224

436

290

8,131

4,214

Tuskfish

Choerodon spp.

2,207

1,174

226

168

1,981

1,156

Wrasse, other

Labridae - undifferentiated

65,510

26,378

7,664

4,438

57,846

25,401

Wrasse, unspecified

Labridae - undifferentiated

5,434

1,930

1,406

786

4,028

1,744

Yellowtail Kingfish

Seriola lalandi

96,115

29,791

35,134

13,720

60,981

22,968

Baitfish

Blue Mackerel

Scomber australasicus

137,119

37,988

125,129

37,285

11,990

3,785

Mullet

Mugilidae - undifferentiated

98,859

26,572

71,725

21,899

27,134

11,388

Yellowtail Scad

Trachurus novaezelandiae

143,230

41,272

90,182

33,361

53,048

19,684

Herring

Clupeidae - undifferentiated

291,749

148,514

287,290

148,180

4,459

3,320

Pilchard

Clupeidae - undifferentiated

5,527

5,435

5,527

5,435

Other small baitfish

Several families - undifferentiated

20,735

10,954

20,735

10,954

Freshwater fish

Australian Bass

Macquaria novemaculeata

195,802

62,660

11,305

3,690

184,497

60,569

European Carp

Cyprinus carpio

500,164

84,945

498,735

84,914

1,428

1,074

Golden Perch

Macquaria ambigua

142,601

18,752

76,529

11,117

66,072

10,703

Murray Cod

Maccullochella peelii

165,557

29,865

20,816

4,383

144,741

28,013

Redfin Perch

Perca fluviatilis

136,279

52,588

44,426

14,649

91,853

47,557

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

85,275

24,849

59,935

21,319

25,340

6,283

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

72,700

18,485

47,885

14,583

24,815

6,678

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

109 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 2, continued

Total

Kept

Released

Reporting group

Standard Fish Name

Scientific name/s

Number

Scalefish, other

Amberjack

Seriola dumerili

204

202

204

202

(saltwater)

Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

1,867

1,069

279

196

1,588

945

Batfish/butter bream

Monodactylus argenteus

7,639

2,744

874

871

6,764

2,602

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

433

273

224

162

209

147

Cod/groupers

Serranidae - undifferentiated

21,301

5,106

1,749

856

19,552

4,993

Dolphinfish

Coryphaena hippurus

74,859

28,913

25,509

7,551

49,350

22,977

Drummer, Rock Blackfish

Girella elevata

53,502

24,534

34,631

16,109

18,871

9,227

Drummer, Silver

Kyphosus sydneyanus

3,856

2,192

1,541

1,142

2,315

1,283

Eastern Wirrah

Acanthistius ocellatus

1,781

1,369

213

210

1,568

1,353

Emperor, unspecified

Lethrinidae - undifferentiated

109

108

109

108

Fish, unknown

Several families - undifferentiated

1,552

731

1,552

731

Flounder/sole

Bothidae & Pleuronectidae spp, Soleidae

40,929

8,184

21,864

4,757

19,065

5,658

Fusilier

Caesio & Pterocaesio spp.

870

862

870

862

Garfish

Hemiramphidae - undifferentiated

21,863

7,540

18,838

7,304

3,025

1,358

Gurnard

Triglidae & Peristediidae - undifferentiated

5,812

2,576

1,390

917

4,422

2,310

Long Tom

Belonidae - undifferentiated

1,794

751

322

320

1,473

679

Mackerel, Narrow-barred

Scomberomorus commerson

5,906

2,222

5,283

2,178

623

443

Mackerel, Spotted

Scomberomorus munroi

13,303

6,532

13,140

6,530

163

162

Marlin, Black

Makaira indica

898

495

283

282

615

406

Marlin, Blue

Makaira nigricans

216

151

216

151

Marlin, Striped

Tetrapturus audax

163

162

163

162

Morwong, Grey

Nemadactylus douglasii

33,431

7,889

30,211

7,596

3,219

1,178

Morwong, Red

Cheilodactylus fuscus

16,661

8,245

10,299

5,249

6,362

4,571

Pearl Perch

Glaucosoma scapulare

6,527

2,970

4,434

2,067

2,093

1,131

Perch, unspecified

Percichthyidae & Serranidae - undifferentiated

385

378

385

378

Pike

Sphyraenidae - undifferentiated

12,620

4,233

147

112

12,473

4,232

Queenfish

Scomberoides spp.

183

181

183

181

Redfish

Centroberyx affinis

38,146

15,022

21,450

13,154

16,696

6,795

Rock Cale/Kelpfish

Chironemidae & Aplodactylidae - undifferentiated

11,891

8,400

11,891

8,400

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

110 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 2, continued

Total

Kept

Released

Reporting group

Standard Fish Name

Scientific name/s

Number

Scalefish, other

Sergeant Baker

Aulopus purpurissatus

101,794

35,282

8,314

5,221

93,480

31,000

(saltwater) continued

Silverbiddy

Gerreidae - undifferentiated

9,692

9,671

6,461

6,447

3,231

3,224

Snapper, Mangrove jack

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

281

280

140

Snapper, Russels/moses

Lutjanus russellii

653

611

613

609

Snapper, other

Lutjanus - undifferentiated

Stargazer

Uranoscopidae - undifferentiated

349

258

349

258

Sweep

Scorpis lineolata

39,790

13,192

9,167

4,923

30,623

12,270

Tarwhine

Rhabdosargus sarba

59,236

22,163

18,759

6,761

40,477

18,158

Teraglin

Atractoscion aequidens

46,150

11,321

32,574

7,846

13,575

4,917

Toads/pufferfish

Tetraodontidae & Ostraciidae - undifferentiated

37,782

9,120

37,782

9,120

Trevally, Giant

Caranx ignobilis

483

446

322

298

161

149

Trevally, other

Carangidae - undifferentiated

Trumpeter, Bastard

Latridopsis forsteri

278

275

278

275

Trumpeter/grunters

Terapontidae

5,108

1,861

121

119

4,988

1,857

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

Scalefish, other

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

529

393

406

349

123

128

(freshwater)

Bony Bream

Nematalosa erebi & Nematalosa vlaminghi

7,627

2,909

2,670

2,173

4,957

1,940

Eastern Cod

Maccullochella ikei

920

587

920

587

River Blackfish

Gadopsis marmoratus

1,144

1,140

1,144

1,140

Silver Perch

Bidyanus bidyanus

14,870

4,585

4,040

2,331

10,831

3,946

Spangled Perch

Leiopotherapon unicolor

8,105

7,867

8,105

7,867

Trout Cod

Maccullochella macquariensis

13,353

7,727

13,353

7,727

Scalefish, other

Catfish, eeltail

Plotosidae - undifferentiated

54,870

13,123

1,479

1,342

53,391

13,046

(saltwater and

Catfish, forktail

Ariidae - undifferentiated

23,403

8,566

363

358

23,040

8,529

freshwater)

Catfish, unspecified

Plotosidae - undifferentiated

36,880

32,513

36,760

32,513

120

117

Eel

Several families - undifferentiated

30,341

7,529

4,275

2,502

26,066

7,113

Blue Swimmer Crab

Portunus pelagicus

73,501

20,944

50,637

14,220

22,864

9,014

Mud Crab

Scylla spp.

48,634

14,075

30,052

8,865

18,582

6,325

Rock lobster

Palinuridae - undifferentiated

26,507

14,273

23,216

12,501

3,291

2,798

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

111 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 2, continued

Total

Kept

Released

Reporting group

Standard Fish Name

Scientific name/s

Number

Prawns (saltwater)

Penaeidae - undifferentiated

728,843

426,343

724,756

426,343

4,087

2,861

Shrimp (freshwater)

Palaemonidae - undifferentiated

409,711

148,424

330,025

108,398

79,686

62,268

Nippers (saltwater)

Trypaea australiensis

1,415,852

403,605

1,319,066

367,909

96,787

71,069

Yabbies (freshwater)

Cherax spp.

275,108

92,992

239,838

89,047

35,270

18,012

Crustaceans, other

Murray Crayfish

Euastacus armatus

1,167

755

346

217

821

587

Razorfish

Pinna dolabrata

2,255

2,242

2,255

2,242

Crabs, other

Brachyura - undifferentiated

6,448

6,178

6,448

6,178

Squids

Loliginidae - undifferentiated

111,799

53,498

105,308

51,757

6,491

4,737

Cephalopods, other

Cuttlefish

Sepiidae - undifferentiated

11,292

8,518

6,359

4,591

4,933

4,166

Southern Calamari

Sepioteuthis australis

6,472

5,549

6,472

5,549

Octopus

Octopodidae - undifferentiated

6,801

2,583

306

221

6,495

2,569

Abalone

Haliotidae - undifferentiated

18,843

11,735

18,423

11,718

421

413

Pipis

Donax (Plebidonax) deltoides

90,452

31,719

87,760

31,272

2,692

2,653

Worms

Beach worms

Arenicolidae - undifferentiated

239,085

85,662

239,085

85,662

Blood worms

Glycera spp.

12,471

12,205

12,471

12,205

Worms, other

Class Polychaeta - undifferentiated

10,622

10,543

10,622

10,543

Other taxa

Cunjuvoi

Pyura praeputialis

1,013

1,002

1,013

1,002

Non-fish, other

Several families - undifferentiated

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

112 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 3 Annual recreational catch (kept and released numbers) of key species in NSW/ACT

waters during 2013/14, by residents aged five years and older - by targeted and non-

targeted effort. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Targeted

Non-targeted

Species/group

Number

targeted

Bream

1,185,608

237,660

1,020,048

110,422

53.8

Flathead, Dusky

678,678

107,257

379,935

60,737

64.1

Flathead, Sand

613,034

153,414

349,858

55,907

63.7

Flathead, Tiger

57,381

29,450

24,949

10,852

69.7

Leatherjacket

5,375

3,808

111,247

26,492

4.6

Luderick

351,703

185,438

76,509

20,438

82.1

Mulloway

63,394

30,531

48,179

17,946

56.8

Red Rock Cod

131

151,400

34,432

0.1

Salmon, Australian

71,053

20,020

73,653

15,636

49.1

Sharks and rays

251

247

108,686

19,303

0.2

Silver Trevally

14,945

12,138

72,556

15,738

17.1

Snapper

225,491

41,012

529,859

137,162

29.9

Swallowtail Dart

48,558

26,653

70,377

21,864

40.8

Tailor

165,796

40,483

197,352

37,147

45.7

Tunas

40,269

28,230

16,778

3,927

70.6

Whiting, Sand

307,164

70,128

261,663

55,397

54.0

Whiting, School

390

277

11,418

4,269

3.3

Whiting, Trumpeter

109,899

90,145

43,087

19,064

71.8

Wrasse/gropers

8,260

5,970

103,539

32,965

7.4

Yellowtail Kingfish

63,223

21,200

32,892

13,727

65.8

Blue Mackerel

64,835

29,439

72,284

24,000

47.3

Mullet

41,987

13,667

56,872

21,363

42.5

Yellowtail Scad

37,206

16,506

106,024

34,178

26.0

Other small baitfish

219,730

110,931

98,280

71,079

69.1

Australian Bass

154,872

56,903

40,930

20,837

79.1

European Carp

91,399

49,612

408,765

66,316

18.3

Golden Perch

116,952

16,999

25,649

5,344

82.0

Murray Cod

120,808

25,295

44,749

8,208

73.0

Redfin Perch

110,385

50,934

25,893

6,221

81.0

Trout

151,725

37,204

6,250

3,208

96.0

Scalefish, other

139,532

33,581

732,983

90,975

16.0

Blue Swimmer Crab

54,183

20,137

19,318

5,954

73.7

Mud Crab

46,001

13,977

2,633

1,188

94.6

Rock lobster

17,378

9,862

9,129

8,304

65.6

Prawns (saltwater)

728,843

426,343

100.0

Shrimp (freshwater)

403,215

148,321

6,497

4,697

98.4

Nippers (saltwater)

1,415,852

403,605

100.0

Yabbies (freshwater)

272,932

92,978

2,177

1,244

99.2

Crustaceans, other

9,761

6,615

109

108

98.9

Squids

94,195

51,828

17,604

6,376

84.3

Cephalopods, other

16,616

13,926

7,948

2,669

67.6

Abalone

5,882

3,515

12,961

8,556

31.2

Pipis

90,452

31,719

100.0

Worms

262,178

94,992

100.0

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

94.3

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

113 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 4 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species in NSW/ACT waters during

2013/14, by residents aged five years and older - by targeted and non-targeted effort. SE

is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics

indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Targeted

Non-targeted

Species/group

Number

targeted

Bream

375,788

90,015

238,647

35,853

61.2

Flathead, Dusky

329,341

55,647

151,823

22,316

68.4

Flathead, Sand

291,752

80,227

149,011

28,810

66.2

Flathead, Tiger

30,834

13,938

8,583

4,605

78.2

Leatherjacket

3,203

2,906

68,067

20,942

4.5

Luderick

209,917

101,178

40,157

12,204

83.9

Mulloway

8,716

3,173

12,646

3,121

40.8

Red Rock Cod

131

6,300

2,990

2.0

Salmon, Australian

39,534

14,078

34,001

10,419

53.8

Sharks and rays

251

247

5,031

1,356

4.8

Silver Trevally

12,651

10,130

36,431

9,548

25.8

Snapper

103,423

20,311

82,167

20,002

55.7

Swallowtail Dart

27,138

16,147

16,137

6,282

62.7

Tailor

110,862

32,036

78,752

19,184

58.5

Tunas

32,042

23,885

14,291

3,312

69.2

Whiting, Sand

156,641

42,123

90,828

21,673

63.3

Whiting, School

163

4,831

2,071

3.3

Whiting, Trumpeter

103,331

88,771

20,249

11,893

83.6

Wrasse/gropers

4,722

3,575

14,581

3,863

24.5

Yellowtail Kingfish

19,346

7,083

15,788

11,456

55.1

Blue Mackerel

62,197

29,173

62,932

23,199

49.7

Mullet

36,526

12,714

35,199

17,420

50.9

Yellowtail Scad

24,140

12,510

66,042

28,407

26.8

Other small baitfish

219,730

110,931

93,822

70,635

70.1

Australian Bass

5,420

3,091

5,885

1,957

47.9

European Carp

91,399

49,612

407,336

66,276

18.3

Golden Perch

62,814

9,770

13,715

3,437

82.1

Murray Cod

13,736

3,705

7,080

2,214

66.0

Redfin Perch

34,767

14,362

9,659

2,933

78.3

Trout

104,197

30,910

3,623

2,499

96.6

Scalefish, other

78,548

17,529

242,320

46,200

24.5

Blue Swimmer Crab

39,280

13,620

11,356

4,259

77.6

Mud Crab

28,979

8,772

1,073

483

96.4

Rock lobster

14,087

7,372

9,129

8,304

60.7

Prawns (saltwater)

724,756

426,343

100.0

Shrimp (freshwater)

325,696

108,317

4,329

4,188

98.7

Nippers (saltwater)

1,319,066

367,909

100.0

Yabbies (freshwater)

237,854

89,034

1,984

1,230

99.2

Crustaceans, other

8,940

6,575

109

108

98.8

Squids

89,222

50,035

16,086

6,309

84.7

Cephalopods, other

11,979

9,848

1,157

667

91.2

Abalone

5,882

3,515

12,540

8,533

31.9

Pipis

87,760

31,272

100.0

Worms

262,178

94,992

100.0

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

100.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

114 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 5 Annual harvest of key species in NSW waters by NSW/ACT residents, aged five years and older - indicative estimates of the total weight

(tonnes), compared with estimates for the commercial fisheries sector during 2013/14.

Recreational Estuarine Harvest Recreational Marine Harvest Total Harvest (t)

Recreational

Species/ group Numbers

Average

weight (g)

Total

weight (t)

Numbers

Average

weight (g)

Total

weight (t)

Recreational

(t)

Commercial

(t)

Grand

Total (t)

Bream

497,270

525

261

117,164

589

330

343

672

49.1

Flathead, Dusky

468,978

593

278

9,691

1,023

288

115

404

71.4

Flathead, Sand

61,715

409

379,048

488

185

210

101

311

67.5

Mulloway

14,181

2,530

7,181

2,897

116

49.0

Salmon, Australian

24,759

2,870

48,776

2,283

111

182

1,112

1,294

14.1

Silver Trevally

23,036

543

26,046

558

168

195

13.9

Snapper

39,544

564

146,046

860

126

148

220

368

40.2

Tailor

52,933

499

136,681

593

107

169

63.5

Whiting, Sand

180,864

278

66,606

278

148

46.5

Yellowtail Kingfish

2,046

3,223

33,088

3,434

114

120

109

229

52.5

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

115 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 6 Annual recreational effort (numbers of fishers and fisher days) and catch (kept and released numbers) of key species by water body type during

2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in

italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Offshore

Inshore

Estuary

River

Lake/dam

Species/group

Number

Effort

Fishers

24,576

4,472

234,531

16,111

522,009

28,458

129,691

10,093

104,026

9,046

Fisher days

54,773

14,316

695,542

60,058

1,795,958

125,190

359,490

32,802

300,533

35,081

Catch

Bream

257,142

38,667

1,947,059

291,295

1,455

934

Flathead, Dusky

162

163

36,593

16,793

1,018,321

131,180

3,536

2,520

Flathead, Sand

134,470

53,517

666,050

129,453

162,372

65,700

Flathead, Tiger

10,496

8,488

65,522

29,697

6,312

4,356

Leatherjacket

8,928

5,136

58,712

18,377

48,982

14,227

Luderick

105,070

42,360

323,142

181,284

Mulloway

864

592

13,663

4,876

97,045

35,131

Red Rock Cod

19,725

7,622

118,470

32,716

13,336

5,600

Salmon, Australian

4,111

2,854

100,115

21,231

40,480

13,759

Sharks and rays

3,128

1,264

57,928

14,346

47,881

12,742

Silver Trevally

2,699

1,765

47,847

13,478

36,955

19,198

Snapper

57,673

18,536

235,764

39,565

461,913

135,807

Swallowtail Dart

114,259

39,816

4,676

2,428

Tailor

1,869

980

181,215

42,999

180,064

39,057

Tunas

16,459

8,279

36,302

23,007

4,287

2,486

Whiting, Sand

113,741

23,925

455,086

100,635

Whiting, School

1,424

1,062

206

10,178

4,113

Whiting, Trumpeter

152,986

104,916

Wrasse/gropers

11,999

5,401

91,764

33,476

8,036

2,415

Yellowtail Kingfish

30,176

21,116

49,013

16,904

16,927

9,242

Blue Mackerel

14,601

5,507

79,619

24,975

42,898

26,861

Mullet

8,913

4,169

72,340

19,807

17,606

16,405

Yellowtail Scad

2,970

2,201

67,875

25,246

72,385

31,145

Other small baitfish

4,322

3,600

313,688

150,342

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

116 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 6, continued

Offshore

Inshore

Estuary

River

Lake/dam

Species/group

Number

Australian Bass

3,621

1,567

82,152

30,346

110,029

53,963

European Carp

437,111

80,667

63,053

16,933

Golden Perch

77,026

13,392

65,574

11,563

Murray Cod

145,467

28,594

20,090

6,780

Redfin Perch

41,804

37,644

94,475

36,674

Trout

27,719

7,021

130,256

37,914

Scalefish, other

96,958

26,414

392,985

82,966

265,383

41,108

84,379

34,426

32,809

15,708

Blue Swimmer Crab

744

443

72,757

20,941

Mud Crab

48,634

14,075

Rock lobster

21,425

13,068

5,082

3,179

Prawns (saltwater)

728,843

426,343

Shrimp (freshwater)

375,309

142,794

34,403

23,582

Nippers (saltwater)

1,415,852

403,605

Yabbies (freshwater)

89,886

58,991

185,222

62,057

Crustaceans, other

6,448

6,178

2,255

2,242

1,167

755

Squids

22,243

7,903

89,556

52,223

Cephalopods, other

2,366

1,219

22,198

14,129

Abalone

17,461

10,544

1,383

1,377

Pipis

88,651

31,668

1,802

1,789

Worms

199,307

69,587

62,870

40,673

Other taxa

1,074

1,004

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

117 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 7 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species by water body type during 2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older.

SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches

of the species.

Offshore

Inshore

Estuary

River

Lake/dam

Species/group

Number

Bream

117,164

23,168

497,270

102,394

Flathead, Dusky

162

163

9,528

5,990

468,978

63,571

2,496

1,732

Flathead, Sand

55,338

25,210

323,710

77,228

61,715

22,588

Flathead, Tiger

5,125

4,239

33,365

13,956

926

Leatherjacket

6,718

4,212

36,562

13,995

27,989

10,261

Luderick

84,912

40,157

165,162

93,764

Mulloway

864

592

6,316

2,230

14,181

3,885

Red Rock Cod

331

214

4,373

2,829

1,726

1,020

Salmon, Australian

1,666

1,651

47,110

13,766

24,759

9,585

Sharks and rays

582

340

2,931

1,171

1,769

644

Silver Trevally

1,041

847

25,005

7,569

23,036

15,695

Snapper

30,674

9,289

115,372

20,605

39,544

17,370

Swallowtail Dart

42,793

18,866

481

478

Tailor

540

388

136,141

37,223

52,933

16,377

Tunas

11,066

5,651

31,271

19,833

3,996

2,436

Whiting, Sand

66,606

14,825

180,864

51,919

Whiting, School

405

403

4,590

2,038

Whiting, Trumpeter

123,580

100,107

Wrasse/gropers

4,008

2,263

13,615

6,205

1,680

980

Yellowtail Kingfish

10,467

5,362

22,621

12,032

2,046

1,132

Blue Mackerel

12,727

4,651

75,441

24,439

36,961

26,547

Mullet

7,317

3,411

47,081

13,681

17,327

16,402

Yellowtail Scad

1,671

1,201

50,600

20,494

37,911

24,611

Other small baitfish

4,322

3,600

309,229

150,006

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

118 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 7, continued

Offshore

Inshore

Estuary

River

Lake/dam

Species/group

Number

Australian Bass

803

573

3,910

1,469

6,592

3,322

European Carp

436,665

80,667

62,070

16,905

Golden Perch

43,442

8,353

33,087

6,476

Murray Cod

18,882

4,317

1,935

771

Redfin Perch

2,335

1,172

42,091

14,594

Trout

7,094

2,604

100,725

32,327

Scalefish, other

38,774

8,769

170,362

34,280

67,464

15,708

40,592

32,522

3,677

2,256

Blue Swimmer Crab

249

248

50,387

14,218

Mud Crab

30,052

8,865

Rock lobster

18,508

11,128

4,708

3,125

Prawns (saltwater)

724,756

426,343

Shrimp (freshwater)

301,047

100,783

28,978

23,117

Nippers (saltwater)

1,319,066

367,909

Yabbies (freshwater)

78,907

58,232

160,932

56,758

Crustaceans, other

6,448

6,178

2,255

2,242

346

217

Squids

21,918

7,858

83,390

50,444

Cephalopods, other

525

369

12,611

9,864

Abalone

17,040

10,525

1,383

1,377

Pipis

85,958

31,221

1,802

1,789

Worms

199,307

69,587

62,870

40,673

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

119 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 8 Annual recreational effort (numbers of fishers and fisher days) and catch (kept and released numbers) of key species by fishing method during

2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in

italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Line

Pot/trap

Net

Dive

Other

Species/group

Number

Effort

Fishers

729,396

31,372

33,610

5,256

14,569

3,609

11,037

2,675

33,979

5,233

Fisher days

3,083,157

161,261

69,263

11,926

19,703

4,785

40,767

19,132

85,533

16,203

Catch

Bream

2,202,206

299,596

189

3,261

1,905

Flathead, Dusky

1,057,388

132,763

402

289

566

567

256

255

Flathead, Sand

960,013

181,351

1,416

1,418

1,464

1,066

Flathead, Tiger

82,330

31,558

Leatherjacket

98,497

19,718

18,125

16,551

Luderick

418,273

186,442

9,940

5,904

Mulloway

111,573

35,512

Red Rock Cod

151,531

34,435

Salmon, Australian

144,517

27,030

189

Sharks and rays

108,912

19,326

Silver Trevally

87,407

23,508

Snapper

754,795

144,326

555

550

Swallowtail Dart

118,935

39,889

Tailor

362,891

59,901

256

255

Tunas

57,047

28,585

Whiting, Sand

568,707

111,478

120

118

Whiting, School

11,807

4,278

Whiting, Trumpeter

152,986

104,916

Wrasse/gropers

111,217

34,110

582

410

Yellowtail Kingfish

95,924

29,790

191

189

Blue Mackerel

137,119

37,988

Mullet

81,206

24,843

17,652

9,477

Yellowtail Scad

143,230

41,272

Other small baitfish

318,010

150,408

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

120 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 8, continued

Line

Pot/trap

Net

Dive

Other

Species/group

Number

Australian Bass

195,802

62,660

European Carp

498,043

84,933

495

486

1,181

1,169

444

429

Golden Perch

142,483

18,752

118

117

Murray Cod

165,498

29,865

Redfin Perch

136,279

52,588

Trout

157,975

38,760

Scalefish, other

845,938

100,254

26,577

19,509

Blue Swimmer Crab

18,638

5,932

50,402

19,989

4,461

2,495

Mud Crab

1,394

576

46,217

13,979

1,022

1,017

Rock lobster

26,507

14,273

Prawns (saltwater)

728,843

426,343

Shrimp (freshwater)

400,040

148,147

9,672

5,651

Nippers (saltwater)

1,415,852

403,605

Yabbies (freshwater)

8,444

6,300

178,131

71,224

87,636

50,272

897

889

Crustaceans, other

109

108

1,058

747

276

270

8,427

6,567

Squids

106,331

53,227

5,469

4,237

Cephalopods, other

24,447

14,172

117

116

Abalone

18,566

11,616

278

275

Pipis

90,452

31,719

Worms

262,178

94,992

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

121 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 9 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species by fishing method during 2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older.

SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches

of the species.

Line

Pot/trap

Net

Dive

Other

Species/group

Number

Bream

611,079

107,521

3,261

1,905

Flathead, Dusky

480,411

63,861

402

289

256

255

Flathead, Sand

439,111

98,733

189

1,464

1,066

Flathead, Tiger

39,417

14,738

Leatherjacket

53,144

13,135

18,125

16,551

Luderick

240,134

101,807

9,940

5,904

Mulloway

21,361

4,481

Red Rock Cod

6,430

3,022

Salmon, Australian

73,441

17,779

Sharks and rays

5,282

1,464

Silver Trevally

49,081

17,410

Snapper

185,034

29,728

555

550

Swallowtail Dart

43,275

18,872

Tailor

189,358

40,826

256

255

Tunas

46,333

24,191

Whiting, Sand

247,350

56,795

120

118

Whiting, School

4,995

2,078

Whiting, Trumpeter

123,580

100,107

Wrasse/gropers

18,721

6,662

582

410

Yellowtail Kingfish

34,943

13,719

191

189

Blue Mackerel

125,129

37,285

Mullet

57,302

20,144

14,423

8,620

Yellowtail Scad

90,182

33,361

Other small baitfish

313,551

150,072

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

122 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 9, continued.

Line

Pot/trap

Net

Dive

Other

Species/group

Number

Australian Bass

11,305

3,690

European Carp

496,615

84,902

495

486

1,181

1,169

444

429

Golden Perch

76,410

11,117

118

117

Murray Cod

20,757

4,383

Redfin Perch

44,426

14,649

Trout

107,819

32,450

Scalefish, other

294,291

48,401

26,577

19,509

Blue Swimmer Crab

11,356

4,259

35,915

13,432

3,366

2,255

Mud Crab

857

433

29,195

8,774

Rock lobster

23,216

12,501

Prawns (saltwater)

724,756

426,343

Shrimp (freshwater)

320,353

108,056

9,672

5,651

Nippers (saltwater)

1,319,066

367,909

Yabbies (freshwater)

8,251

6,297

150,754

66,808

79,936

49,225

897

889

Crustaceans, other

109

108

237

188

276

270

8,427

6,567

Squids

99,839

51,476

5,469

4,237

Cephalopods, other

13,019

9,870

117

116

Abalone

18,145

11,599

278

275

Pipis

87,760

31,272

Worms

262,178

94,992

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

123 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 10 Annual recreational effort (numbers of fishers and fisher days) and catch (kept and

released numbers) of key species in NSW/ACT waters by fishing platform during 2013/14,

by residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate

relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded

catches of the species.

Boat

Shore

Both

Species/group

Number

Shore

Effort

Fishers

390,607

23,715

550,589

26,544

n/a

Fisher days

1,365,838

100,202

1,862,738

116,019

n/a

Catch

Bream

936,858

141,269

1,266,434

245,069

2,363

1,499

57.5

Flathead, Dusky

864,620

125,743

193,116

35,971

877

685

18.3

Flathead, Sand

865,775

179,864

97,117

16,412

10.1

Flathead, Tiger

82,330

31,558

0.0

Leatherjacket

72,994

16,201

43,628

20,022

37.4

Luderick

189,685

132,239

238,528

69,431

55.7

Mulloway

80,790

34,594

30,782

7,841

27.6

Red Rock Cod

133,235

33,816

18,296

5,984

12.1

Salmon, Australian

37,020

13,316

107,686

22,254

74.4

Sharks and rays

65,238

16,713

43,699

9,024

40.1

Silver Trevally

60,069

22,300

27,432

7,258

31.3

Snapper

600,898

129,578

154,345

62,710

108

20.4

Swallowtail Dart

2,697

1,730

116,238

39,636

97.7

Tailor

159,037

41,430

202,305

40,024

1,806

1,724

56.0

Tunas

29,762

9,285

27,285

22,846

47.8

Whiting, Sand

266,240

86,178

302,395

58,891

192

185

53.2

Whiting, School

7,647

3,508

3,866

2,442

294

293

33.6

Whiting, Trumpeter

149,356

104,862

3,630

3,365

2.4

Wrasse/gropers

73,324

22,912

38,476

16,342

34.4

Yellowtail Kingfish

87,868

28,437

8,247

5,093

8.6

Blue Mackerel

126,606

37,587

10,513

5,470

7.7

Mullet

24,718

12,900

74,140

22,635

75.0

Yellowtail Scad

115,238

39,390

27,992

12,356

19.5

Other small baitfish

84,881

47,696

233,130

138,828

73.3

Australian Bass

163,173

59,749

31,955

13,073

674

675

16.4

European Carp

103,567

23,912

394,026

79,355

2,571

1,410

79.2

Golden Perch

79,390

13,701

61,980

11,162

1,231

859

43.8

Murray Cod

92,435

21,205

71,065

16,726

2,057

1,325

43.5

Redfin Perch

108,842

51,691

26,650

8,732

786

775

19.7

Trout

89,902

33,836

66,395

17,050

1,678

1,439

42.5

Scalefish, other

531,477

65,342

340,010

76,029

1,028

613

39.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

124 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 10, continued

Boat

Shore

Both

Species/group

Number

Shore

Blue Swimmer Crab

37,210

14,523

36,291

14,750

49.4

Mud Crab

20,308

8,653

28,325

10,712

58.2

Rock lobster

2,846

1,667

23,661

12,778

89.3

Prawns (saltwater)

356,186

323,746

372,657

191,261

51.1

Shrimp (freshwater)

113,617

70,639

296,095

108,889

72.3

Nippers (saltwater)

24,993

15,475

1,390,859

402,861

98.2

Yabbies (freshwater)

667

482

274,442

92,991

99.8

Crustaceans, other

3,313

2,363

6,448

6,178

109

108

66.1

Squids

93,986

52,451

17,814

7,480

15.9

Cephalopods, other

21,141

14,113

3,423

1,306

13.9

Abalone

6,851

4,177

11,992

7,824

63.6

Pipis

90,452

31,719

100.0

Worms

262,178

94,992

100.0

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

94.3

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

125 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 11 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species by fishing platform during

2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values

in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30

households recorded catches of the species.

Boat

Shore

Both

Species/group

Number

Shore

Bream

327,621

88,151

286,813

45,903

46.7

Flathead, Dusky

395,582

61,812

85,583

13,954

17.8

Flathead, Sand

398,036

97,538

42,727

9,032

9.7

Flathead, Tiger

39,417

14,738

0.0

Leatherjacket

40,289

10,525

30,980

18,320

43.5

Luderick

116,483

77,396

133,591

44,543

53.4

Mulloway

9,615

2,673

11,746

3,534

55.0

Red Rock Cod

4,900

2,909

1,530

818

23.8

Salmon, Australian

22,759

10,500

50,776

14,210

69.1

Sharks and rays

3,058

1,007

2,224

941

42.1

Silver Trevally

35,955

16,935

13,126

4,079

26.7

Snapper

179,438

29,802

6,043

3,113

108

3.3

Swallowtail Dart

852

866

42,422

18,657

98.0

Tailor

74,365

26,327

115,249

29,637

60.8

Tunas

22,813

6,785

23,520

19,696

50.8

Whiting, Sand

103,972

35,833

143,497

40,693

58.0

Whiting, School

3,381

1,802

1,614

1,034

32.3

Whiting, Trumpeter

122,236

100,098

1,344

1,342

1.1

Wrasse/gropers

10,774

2,967

8,529

5,981

44.2

Yellowtail Kingfish

34,579

13,716

555

318

1.6

Blue Mackerel

117,337

37,072

7,792

3,969

6.2

Mullet

13,726

5,785

57,999

20,852

80.9

Yellowtail Scad

84,301

33,248

5,881

2,777

6.5

Other small baitfish

81,663

47,060

231,888

138,824

74.0

Australian Bass

8,282

3,467

3,023

1,240

26.7

European Carp

103,567

23,912

392,597

79,321

2,571

1,410

79.1

Golden Perch

41,415

8,081

34,089

6,862

1,025

730

45.1

Murray Cod

10,141

2,516

10,458

2,964

217

215

50.8

Redfin Perch

30,594

12,942

13,832

6,742

31.1

Trout

70,276

28,386

36,835

14,418

708

34.4

Scalefish, other

190,236

28,225

130,306

42,910

326

325

40.7

Blue Swimmer Crab

29,064

10,103

21,573

9,617

42.6

Mud Crab

11,760

4,659

18,292

7,068

60.9

Rock lobster

2,846

1,667

20,370

10,970

87.7

Prawns (saltwater)

356,186

323,746

368,570

191,243

50.9

Shrimp (freshwater)

80,137

58,244

249,888

88,160

75.7

Nippers (saltwater)

23,164

14,035

1,295,902

367,250

98.2

Yabbies (freshwater)

667

482

239,172

89,047

99.7

Crustaceans, other

2,492

2,250

6,448

6,178

109

108

72.1

Squids

88,597

50,680

16,711

7,431

15.9

Cephalopods, other

12,712

9,866

424

321

3.2

Abalone

6,851

4,177

11,571

7,798

62.8

Pipis

87,760

31,272

100.0

Worms

262,178

94,992

100.0

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

100.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

126 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 12 Annual recreational effort (numbers of fishers and fisher days) and catch (kept and

released numbers) of key species by season during 2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents

aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard

error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the

species.

Winter (Jun-Aug)

Spring (Sep-Nov)

Summer (Dec-Feb)

Autumn (Mar-May)

Species/group

Number

Effort

Fishers

239,037

15,440

327,757

20,006

407,411

22,390

312,535

20,813

Fisher days

603,908

44,496

729,641

52,882

1,049,339

68,240

798,148

59,119

Catch

Bream

471,108

74,585

366,909

64,615

735,284

121,017

632,355

148,935

Flathead, Dusky

168,224

37,261

244,886

42,962

362,627

57,957

282,876

57,505

Flathead, Sand

136,829

31,668

187,409

49,301

483,845

144,402

154,810

31,407

Flathead, Tiger

9,103

4,457

24,763

12,480

40,515

27,658

7,948

4,445

Leatherjacket

24,405

7,586

30,022

12,916

24,904

11,215

37,291

12,833

Luderick

198,106

104,398

63,828

24,964

77,338

28,520

88,941

56,014

Mulloway

18,450

5,962

10,934

4,332

48,256

29,523

33,933

17,136

Red Rock Cod

46,739

10,997

19,752

5,309

41,698

10,693

43,342

27,038

Salmon, Australian

46,234

12,559

50,836

15,180

22,140

6,283

25,495

6,956

Sharks and rays

12,606

3,257

25,945

10,575

47,273

12,869

23,113

6,539

Silver Trevally

30,005

11,492

26,822

13,107

14,316

4,288

16,357

4,324

Snapper

129,763

28,051

98,340

19,010

336,387

110,039

190,860

52,311

Swallowtail Dart

58,722

22,525

14,043

6,828

16,636

6,731

29,535

14,714

Tailor

134,854

34,205

38,219

9,439

60,531

14,725

129,544

25,457

Tunas

10,473

6,805

32,006

27,567

5,719

2,033

8,848

3,088

Whiting, Sand

46,228

10,405

66,079

17,471

296,100

76,649

160,419

37,137

Whiting, School

4,343

3,182

3,107

1,417

4,069

2,443

287

283

Whiting, Trumpeter

26,197

20,674

11,358

6,499

61,020

39,391

54,411

45,251

Wrasse/gropers

36,562

10,262

30,573

15,313

18,187

8,744

26,477

14,521

Yellowtail Kingfish

6,454

3,409

5,400

3,511

31,810

10,873

52,452

20,762

Blue Mackerel

15,951

8,301

19,274

8,034

58,315

23,871

43,580

19,051

Mullet

28,977

18,441

18,296

6,783

29,529

12,629

22,056

8,887

Yellowtail Scad

34,492

17,312

23,548

11,596

59,365

25,360

25,824

11,005

Other small baitfish

24,806

14,275

127,709

65,792

77,127

43,335

88,367

55,155

Australian Bass

6,658

5,496

92,567

34,606

52,932

24,515

43,645

25,482

European Carp

97,921

29,126

140,683

47,108

145,714

35,263

115,846

22,731

Golden Perch

17,184

4,482

56,819

10,398

29,306

5,995

39,291

7,695

Murray Cod

16,203

5,098

20,080

5,453

79,296

18,358

49,977

12,497

Redfin Perch

7,450

3,865

25,500

10,594

86,497

42,760

16,832

9,389

Trout

40,481

13,156

39,541

11,550

40,468

15,053

37,485

13,595

Scalefish, other

183,663

31,146

156,410

32,830

300,913

46,884

231,529

45,164

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

127 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 12, continued

Winter (Jun-Aug)

Spring (Sep-Nov)

Summer (Dec-Feb)

Autumn (Mar-May)

Species/group

Number

Blue Swimmer Crab

816

610

4,322

2,187

39,951

12,634

28,411

10,811

Mud Crab

2,863

2,338

6,832

2,627

21,133

8,668

17,805

7,474

Rock lobster

2,469

1,528

8,438

5,114

7,286

5,678

8,314

4,596

Prawns (saltwater)

111,999

74,655

599,459

364,501

17,386

17,088

Shrimp (freshwater)

4,211

4,186

46,901

17,789

173,693

103,172

184,906

81,238

Nippers (saltwater)

232,692

84,809

238,783

77,716

612,080

240,574

332,297

129,930

Yabbies (freshwater)

100,531

62,884

29,364

16,694

103,582

35,961

41,632

22,056

Crustaceans, other

7,231

6,217

276

270

2,363

2,245

Squids

30,717

18,439

11,365

4,464

21,853

10,351

47,865

36,269

Cephalopods, other

2,034

983

150

121

7,729

3,191

14,651

13,780

Abalone

6,583

3,582

2,074

2,066

4,644

3,059

5,542

3,894

Pipis

36,763

25,902

16,413

8,349

20,338

13,192

16,939

10,000

Worms

77,938

32,101

47,530

20,737

106,954

60,497

29,756

15,967

Other taxa

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

128 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 13 Annual recreational effort (numbers of fishers and fisher days) and catch (kept and released numbers) of key species by fishing zone during

2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in

italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Effort

Fishers

No:

79,053

113,132

149,738

210,665

179,233

42,210

102,097

57,877

3,631

8,882

9,990

16,549

21,875

15,184

4,815

7,964

6,888

1,147

Fisher days

No:

328,121

447,559

474,688

595,144

690,396

128,945

320,381

191,166

5,698

45,493

57,745

66,177

78,485

66,943

20,944

29,918

25,718

2,110

Catch

Bream

No:

271,270

433,534

308,943

578,216

564,645

49,047

53,664

109,997

59,470

165,427

147,579

13,755

Flathead, Dusky

No:

121,129

165,536

152,000

138,935

328,184

152,828

35,152

51,204

72,114

31,929

69,245

47,679

Flathead, Sand

No:

26,950

131,137

132,901

225,062

377,984

68,858

6,048

46,990

49,739

127,890

91,291

19,962

Flathead, Tiger

No:

3,244

1,245

6,246

7,926

56,662

7,007

2,685

1,209

4,514

7,902

29,656

4,658

Leatherjacket

No:

372

10,351

16,336

49,943

35,293

4,326

362

5,115

9,876

21,341

10,962

1,974

Luderick

No:

15,789

19,553

16,671

64,664

307,038

4,498

11,980

7,609

7,882

40,148

181,309

3,363

Mulloway

No:

25,398

13,994

804

67,313

4,063

7,676

5,145

450

34,124

2,853

Red Rock Cod

No:

47,534

37,531

14,610

6,255

43,001

2,601

27,380

10,604

6,998

3,057

15,343

1,785

Salmon, Australian

No:

721

4,072

29,599

21,449

68,448

20,417

548

2,304

12,361

10,943

16,716

8,165

Sharks and rays

No:

16,721

23,808

27,628

22,833

13,628

4,320

5,601

8,853

10,983

11,296

2,731

2,004

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

129 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 13, continued

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Silver Trevally

No:

4,531

4,313

11,779

37,707

24,737

4,434

2,978

2,670

3,813

20,811

8,145

2,331

Snapper

No:

80,485

53,042

163,737

260,929

167,607

29,550

24,593

23,560

45,902

105,905

44,010

11,030

Swallowtail Dart

No:

89,483

23,407

4,840

1,205

38,139

11,302

2,909

1,105

Tailor

No:

47,324

110,931

57,093

65,319

52,494

29,987

16,521

38,963

17,034

26,528

12,987

19,068

Tunas

No:

4,256

5,945

4,478

2,391

39,025

954

1,961

2,634

2,559

1,726

28,206

643

Whiting, Sand

No:

98,100

72,859

158,209

31,121

179,306

29,231

34,309

21,490

86,243

8,766

51,033

10,920

Whiting, School

No:

5,068

1,344

3,004

294

1,935

163

3,278

844

2,282

293

1,236

163

Whiting, Trumpeter

No:

851

6,707

137,905

7,522

864

4,564

104,688

5,331

Wrasse/gropers

No:

2,460

21,527

26,233

16,151

43,798

1,631

1,190

8,666

20,752

11,444

15,735

853

Yellowtail Kingfish

No:

1,455

12,185

6,331

4,335

68,246

3,562

980

11,347

3,100

3,043

27,042

1,776

Blue Mackerel

No:

15,615

35,936

14,787

4,047

53,199

13,535

7,335

19,646

8,111

2,957

29,798

6,541

Mullet

No:

8,038

23,949

8,103

20,759

36,135

1,875

3,728

11,454

4,709

16,710

16,116

1,125

Yellowtail Scad

No:

22,224

6,273

16,872

57,310

33,012

7,538

15,753

3,658

6,931

29,715

21,629

6,540

Other small baitfish

No:

235,610

69,187

11,475

1,739

142,375

48,552

10,031

1,110

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

130 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 13, continued

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Australian Bass

No:

21,997

5,606

144,883

16,497

6,434

385

11,197

2,944

60,292

11,481

3,395

378

European Carp

No:

902

2,826

946

260,160

231,577

3,752

687

2,286

934

65,074

53,076

2,103

Golden Perch

No:

7,861

58,682

73,247

2,810

3,887

11,909

12,679

1,857

Murray Cod

No:

107,743

55,388

2,426

26,109

13,530

2,114

Redfin Perch

No:

2,242

751

59,627

68,851

4,807

1,579

541

32,394

39,591

2,642

Trout

No:

24,781

131,159

2,035

14,736

35,530

1,166

Scalefish, other

No:

106,478

109,055

163,262

210,567

166,821

13,593

63,712

39,026

20,221

25,359

40,219

68,999

35,199

5,584

33,625

16,842

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

131 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 13, continued

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Blue Swimmer Crab

No:

11,828

5,510

38,912

2,902

13,745

603

11,589

2,698

16,241

1,712

5,522

428

Mud Crab

No:

20,893

16,818

6,559

4,364

9,672

8,539

4,722

3,066

Rock lobster

No:

555

383

11,788

13,781

550

378

9,851

9,795

Prawns (saltwater)

No:

71,586

194,275

454,336

8,646

68,380

165,096

386,990

8,608

Shrimp (freshwater)

No:

3,289

27,152

215,468

163,802

3,149

23,079

119,929

68,556

Nippers (saltwater)

No:

445,228

386,488

285,047

122,004

141,064

36,022

262,609

206,374

198,301

85,792

62,987

26,287

Yabbies (freshwater)

No:

45,894

24,752

66,996

137,467

45,382

24,360

26,205

72,827

Crustaceans, other

No:

2,530

6,173

1,167

2,258

6,172

755

Squids

No:

431

53,847

32,994

24,397

130

422

47,387

22,496

9,980

131

Cephalopods, other

No:

201

2,274

14,662

5,680

1,747

197

1,183

13,787

3,018

675

Abalone

No:

2,765

7,605

8,473

2,754

7,575

5,570

Pipis

No:

20,524

52,726

8,340

8,862

9,535

28,595

6,817

7,154

Worms

No:

111,543

22,940

118,925

8,770

55,770

13,298

72,410

4,652

Other taxa

No:

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

132 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 14 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species by fishing zone during 2013/14, by NSW/ACT residents aged five years and older.

SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches

of the species.

Species/group

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Bream

No:

60,683

112,175

99,442

119,467

202,985

19,681

14,818

33,593

30,567

39,037

81,480

7,404

Flathead, Dusky

No:

40,534

66,984

67,811

74,090

160,170

71,575

12,245

18,867

27,204

19,012

36,696

30,394

Flathead, Sand

No:

11,687

49,128

57,149

110,169

180,871

31,759

3,259

18,552

23,162

68,477

46,976

9,549

Flathead, Tiger

No:

1,344

1,245

812

7,926

25,735

2,355

948

1,209

815

7,902

12,223

1,379

Leatherjacket

No:

7,858

12,390

35,995

13,919

1,107

4,094

7,561

18,522

4,981

730

Luderick

No:

14,873

10,246

10,746

56,143

154,777

3,288

11,772

5,629

7,101

38,540

93,215

2,180

Mulloway

No:

10,858

5,389

295

3,117

1,702

3,519

1,790

256

1,752

1,026

Red Rock Cod

No:

451

1,414

1,578

2,382

537

415

1,378

1,391

1,074

419

Salmon, Aust.

No:

721

2,732

13,115

18,489

28,915

9,563

548

1,589

8,646

9,979

6,660

4,124

Sharks and rays

No:

782

1,822

803

607

1,088

179

451

1,035

486

604

489

178

Silver Trevally

No:

3,266

3,187

6,516

22,285

13,703

125

2,082

2,236

2,476

15,522

5,679

124

Snapper

No:

41,827

20,511

27,510

7,028

80,674

8,041

11,744

9,310

8,359

3,497

24,027

3,367

Swallowtail Dart

No:

41,307

1,873

18,809

1,605

Tailor

No:

29,462

87,571

16,411

20,964

22,600

12,606

12,718

33,972

6,891

13,431

6,469

7,367

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

133 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 14, continued

Species/group

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Tunas

No:

3,161

4,659

4,188

1,450

31,922

954

1,694

2,201

2,511

1,064

23,876

643

Whiting, Sand

No:

26,674

28,393

61,995

8,538

107,054

14,814

9,728

8,780

30,299

3,202

41,790

7,336

Whiting, School

No:

1,888

1,117

1,527

299

163

1,647

813

931

222

163

Whiting, Trumpeter

No:

511

3,415

118,310

1,344

519

3,228

100,053

1,342

Wrasse/gropers

No:

1,277

1,646

368

5,960

8,915

1,138

805

768

339

5,874

2,879

687

Yellowtail Kingfish

No:

427

11,745

1,763

189

19,084

1,927

236

11,348

1,345

188

7,365

1,033

Blue Mackerel

No:

14,053

34,062

14,026

3,721

47,691

11,575

6,715

19,423

8,089

2,940

29,436

5,368

Mullet

No:

7,675

19,788

4,276

17,371

20,842

1,772

3,720

10,658

2,937

16,395

8,605

1,120

Yellowtail Scad

No:

7,975

5,979

5,115

45,127

24,092

1,894

4,518

3,646

3,175

28,071

16,637

1,855

Other small baitfish

No:

232,122

69,187

11,475

768

142,030

48,552

10,031

546

Australian Bass

No:

2,186

1,202

5,967

336

1,228

385

996

1,040

3,283

337

724

378

European Carp

No:

902

2,826

946

259,715

230,594

3,752

687

2,286

934

65,074

53,067

2,103

Golden Perch

No:

1,132

32,099

42,437

860

754

7,322

8,026

842

Murray Cod

No:

11,528

9,288

2,578

3,376

Redfin Perch

No:

1,498

751

20,734

20,634

809

1,086

541

9,858

10,756

498

Trout

No:

17,163

90,657

13,248

29,460

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

134 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 14, continued

Species/group

North

Coast

Mid North

Coast

Hunter

Sydney

Mid South

Coast

South

Coast

Murray/

Sth. West

Darling/

Nth. West

ACT

Scalefish, other

No:

39,547

48,986

57,418

74,012

54,039

4,656

37,357

4,853

10,110

15,064

18,662

28,038

11,576

1,631

32,435

2,961

Blue Swimmer Crab

No:

5,998

3,381

30,341

2,187

8,128

603

5,796

2,187

12,183

1,556

3,604

428

Mud Crab

No:

10,648

10,718

5,024

3,662

4,805

5,829

3,944

2,446

Rock lobster

No:

555

383

11,788

10,490

550

378

9,851

7,178

Prawns (saltwater)

No:

69,542

194,275

452,293

8,646

68,350

165,096

386,996

8,608

Shrimp (freshwater)

No:

3,289

27,152

148,533

151,052

3,149

23,079

69,547

63,636

Nippers (saltwater)

No:

441,155

316,901

266,034

117,891

141,064

36,022

262,326

143,724

185,315

82,560

62,987

26,287

Yabbies

(freshwater)

No:

45,894

9,076

54,294

130,575

45,382

8,932

23,110

72,465

Crustaceans, other

No:

2,530

6,173

346

2,258

6,172

217

Squids

No:

431

53,466

28,048

23,233

130

422

47,387

18,002

9,909

131

Cephalopods, other

No:

10,397

2,182

557

9,659

1,997

371

Abalone

No:

2,765

7,605

8,052

2,754

7,575

5,534

Pipis

No:

20,524

52,726

5,648

8,862

9,535

28,595

4,281

7,154

Worms

No:

111,543

22,940

118,925

8,770

55,770

13,298

72,410

4,652

Other taxa

No:

1,013

1,002

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

135 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 15 Numbers of NSW/ACT resident households reporting boat ownership as at June 2013, by previous fishing activity in the 12 months prior to June

2013, by residential stratum. SE is standard error.

Residential stratum

Fishers

Non-fishers

Total

Own boat

No boat

Own boat

No boat

Own boat

No boat

Number

Sydney

64,629

6,383

140,142

9,789

81,200

7,894

1,428,017

13,339

145,829

9,961

1,568,159

9,961

Hunter

19,058

2,129

24,157

2,412

17,683

2,132

181,966

3,429

36,741

2,860

206,123

2,860

Illawarra

14,696

1,665

22,044

2,159

7,284

1,313

126,474

2,751

21,980

2,062

148,518

2,062

Richmond/Tweed

7,573

1,021

12,556

1,303

5,178

854

73,042

1,648

12,751

1,281

85,598

1,281

Mid North Coast

17,487

1,861

11,763

1,524

10,913

1,494

103,782

2,473

28,400

2,231

115,545

2,231

Central West/North

12,047

1,496

17,014

1,889

7,493

1,315

118,434

2,495

19,540

1,923

135,448

1,923

North West

4,378

542

5,111

592

4,058

544

33,416

837

8,436

721

38,527

721

South East

10,647

1,210

10,231

1,217

6,009

967

61,721

1,723

16,655

1,466

71,953

1,466

South West

12,441

1,355

12,696

1,410

6,165

1,030

76,673

1,917

18,606

1,617

89,369

1,617

ACT

6,485

1,092

15,622

1,735

5,394

1,089

117,846

2,167

11,879

1,506

133,468

1,506

Total

169,441

7,719

271,335

10,987

151,377

8,761

2,321,372

14,978

320,818

11,381

2,592,707

11,381

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

136 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 16 Boat ownership and numbers of boats owned by NSW/ACT resident households (as at

June 2013), with fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters during 2013/14. SE is standard error;

values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than

30 households reported boat ownership.

Residential stratum

Fisher households

Boats

Own boat

No boat

Number

Mean

Sydney

72,245

8,957

107,672

10,718

87,573

11,193

1.2

Hunter

16,527

2,304

24,539

2,930

22,490

3,314

1.4

Illawarra

16,433

2,079

19,815

2,340

21,365

2,905

1.3

Richmond/Tweed

9,621

1,346

9,978

1,461

12,398

1,872

1.3

Mid North Coast

17,064

2,075

14,708

1,994

21,405

2,825

1.3

Central West/North

14,912

1,982

14,177

2,065

19,914

2,897

1.3

North West

3,931

616

3,835

623

5,115

874

1.3

South East

10,698

1,384

9,126

1,419

14,223

2,327

1.3

South West

13,913

1,726

11,136

1,605

18,783

2,632

1.4

ACT

5,279

1,163

14,450

1,915

6,851

1,676

1.3

Total

180,622

10,322

229,437

12,164

230,118

13,435

1.3

Appendix 17 Numbers of boats owned and used for fishing in 2013/14 by NSW/ACT resident fisher

households (as at June 2013). SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reported boat

ownership.

Residential stratum

Numbers of Boats

% used for fishing

Any fishing use

No fishing

Sydney

62,562

8,898

25,012

6,159

71%

Hunter

16,727

2,724

5,763

1,644

74%

Illawarra

19,574

2,729

1,791

732

92%

Richmond/Tweed

8,232

1,482

4,166

1,103

66%

Mid North Coast

17,395

2,419

4,010

1,310

81%

Central West/North

13,296

2,208

6,618

1,865

67%

North West

3,983

766

1,131

360

78%

South East

12,067

1,955

2,156

680

85%

South West

14,791

2,206

3,992

961

79%

ACT

5,267

1,412

1,585

890

77%

Total

173,895

10,873

56,223

7,063

76%

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

137 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 18 Numbers of boats used for fishing in 2013/14 by NSW/ACT resident fisher households (as at June 2013), by length of boat and stratum. SE is

standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households reported boat ownership.

Residential stratum

< 4 metres

4-4.9 metres

5-5.9 metres

6-6.9 metres

7 metres plus

Number

Sydney

9,740

2,859

25,999

5,502

19,048

4,380

2,667

1,510

5,108

2,573

Hunter

3,689

1,388

6,487

1,535

5,211

1,366

1,143

481

197

Illawarra

6,577

1,599

5,662

1,238

6,029

1,364

516

396

791

533

Richmond/Tweed

2,163

780

3,935

939

1,630

535

331

237

174

172

Mid North Coast

5,182

1,423

7,464

1,521

3,707

987

794

471

249

247

Central West/North

5,554

1,453

4,254

1,058

2,425

832

743

440

318

237

North West

2,035

592

1,316

386

376

194

152

108

104

103

South East

3,092

1,055

5,614

1,185

2,290

615

810

450

262

257

South West

4,837

1,165

5,623

1,199

3,061

935

517

382

753

429

ACT

1,771

686

2,508

882

683

361

305

221

Total

44,641

4,549

68,862

6,500

44,459

5,127

7,673

1,871

8,259

2,720

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

138 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 19 Overall satisfaction with recreational fishing in the period June 2013 to May 2014 - as reported by the main/key fisher aged 15 years or more, in

resident households with recreational fishing activity in NSW/ACT waters. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error >

40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 fishing households responded.

How satisfied …

% at

least

quite

satisfied

Residential stratum

Very

Quite

Not very

Not at all

Unsure

Number

Sydney

25,994

5,508

110,462

10,992

29,240

5,464

6,286

2,866

3,837

1,954

78%

Hunter

5,516

1,552

24,884

2,880

8,564

1,702

638

457

1,066

557

75%

Illawarra

5,686

1,375

20,910

2,374

8,386

1,575

628

445

404

298

74%

Richmond/Tweed

2,053

624

11,666

1,495

4,184

1,022

788

450

512

292

71%

Mid North Coast

3,518

986

17,152

2,162

7,600

1,406

1,264

579

1,636

675

66%

Central West/North

4,412

1,133

18,938

2,299

4,680

1,157

314

306

548

395

81%

North West

1,238

376

4,862

699

885

292

294

151

136

133

82%

South East

3,387

883

11,085

1,522

4,482

942

322

193

401

285

74%

South West

4,629

1,090

14,785

1,807

4,581

1,024

187

186

615

434

78%

ACT

2,653

812

13,346

1,838

3,354

1,008

177

176

82%

Total

59,086

6,328

248,089

12,506

75,955

6,529

10,898

3,062

9,154

2,281

76%

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

139 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 20 Estimated number of persons and proportion of the resident population aged 5 years and older, who fished recreationally in NSW or the ACT in

the 12 months prior to May 2000 and the 12 months prior to June 2013, by residential stratum. SE is standard error.

Residential stratum

Fishers

Non-fishers

Participation Rates

2000

2013

2000

2013

2000

2013

Number

Sydney

459,104

26,578

375,558

23,716

3,237,541

26,578

3,982,956

23,716

12.4

0.7

8.6

0.5

Hunter

128,360

8,430

86,200

6,858

393,003

8,430

485,426

6,858

24.6

1.6

15.1

1.2

Illawarra

69,207

5,356

72,700

5,661

283,201

5,356

330,461

5,661

19.6

1.5

18.0

1.4

Richmond/Tweed

48,076

3,114

39,196

3,470

144,519

3,114

181,830

3,470

25.0

1.6

17.7

1.6

Mid North Coast

74,889

4,556

55,533

5,026

174,048

4,556

264,416

5,026

30.1

1.8

17.4

1.6

Central West/North

61,674

5,174

56,174

5,207

245,044

5,174

302,557

5,207

20.1

1.7

15.7

1.5

North West

28,774

2,327

19,519

1,806

96,263

2,327

88,532

1,806

23.0

1.9

18.1

1.7

South East

48,919

3,064

41,886

3,850

115,034

3,064

160,178

3,850

29.8

1.9

20.7

1.9

South West

43,199

3,523

49,831

4,009

186,848

3,523

198,508

4,009

18.8

1.5

20.1

1.6

ACT

52,005

3,697

40,034

3,708

226,013

3,697

304,026

3,708

18.7

1.3

11.6

1.1

Total

1,014,207

30,071

836,632

27,456

5,101,514

30,071

6,298,889

27,456

16.6

0.50

11.7

0.4

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

140 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 21 Annual recreational effort (number of fishers and fisher days) by residents aged five years

and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 – by

fishing zone. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 fishing households responded.

2000/01

2013/14

Fishing Zone

Fishers

Fisher

days

Fishers

Fisher

days

North Coast

138,712

11,854

684,337

64,419

79,053

8,882

328,121

45,493

Mid North Coast

160,348

14,370

729,071

93,245

113,132

9,990

447,559

57,745

Hunter

240,228

20,533

931,667

102,617

149,738

16,549

474,688

66,177

Sydney

228,995

22,583

712,247

135,567

210,665

21,875

595,144

78,485

Mid South Coast

219,375

19,294

867,959

118,663

179,233

15,184

690,396

66,943

South Coast

67,290

8,797

266,220

41,399

42,210

4,815

128,945

20,944

Murray/South West

115,406

10,546

460,746

50,472

102,097

7,964

320,381

29,918

Darling/North West

972,669

10,228

358,206

39,146

57,877

6,888

191,166

25,718

ACT

14,821

2,550

25,244

5,107

3,631

1,147

5,698

2,110

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

141 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 22 Annual recreational catch (kept and released numbers) of key species by residents aged

five years and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with

2013/14. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%;

values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

2000/01

2013/14

Species/group

Number

change

Bream

4,274,412

481,383

2,205,656

299,714

51.6

Flathead

3,343,172

372,340

2,103,835

246,280

62.9

Leatherjacket

438,343

88,698

116,622

26,752

26.6

Luderick

912,106

242,478

428,213

186,579

46.9

Mulloway

109,400

23,872

111,573

35,512

102.0

Red Rock Cod

225,254

32,272

151,531

34,435

67.3

Salmon, Australian

166,315

30,509

144,706

27,036

87.0

Sharks

113,422

37,308

37,703

11,452

33.2

Rays

135,998

47,076

71,235

13,877

52.4

Snapper

1,242,083

384,122

755,350

144,387

60.8

Swallowtail Dart

196,259

62,526

118,935

39,889

60.6

Tailor

1,511,131

219,254

363,147

59,901

24.0

Trevally

229,760

48,439

88,034

23,513

38.3

Tuna

108,445

47,962

57,047

28,585

52.6

Whiting

2,259,931

639,150

733,620

154,662

32.5

Wrasse/gropers

213,232

43,307

111,800

34,111

52.4

Yellowtail Kingfish

122,064

26,963

96,115

29,791

78.7

Blue Mackerel

259,359

60,161

137,119

37,988

52.9

Mullet

535,637

119,509

98,859

26,572

18.5

Yellowtail Scad

318,947

89,733

143,230

41,272

44.9

Other small baitfish

235,233

66,875

318,010

150,408

135.2

Australian Bass

102,544

21,429

195,802

62,660

190.9

European Carp

677,724

115,151

500,164

84,945

73.8

Golden Perch

568,743

82,808

142,601

18,752

25.1

Murray Cod

160,680

36,670

165,557

29,865

103.0

Redfin Perch

354,834

141,973

136,279

52,588

38.4

Trout

325,347

56,929

157,975

38,760

48.6

Blue Swimmer Crab

426,880

118,206

73,501

20,944

17.2

Mud Crab

58,642

22,011

48,634

14,075

82.9

Rock lobster

18,162

8,075

26,507

14,273

145.9

Prawns saltwater

9,564,042

5,379,154

728,843

426,343

7.6

Shrimp freshwater

239,577

93,882

409,711

148,424

171.0

Nippers saltwater

2,580,638

492,261

1,415,852

403,605

54.9

Yabbies freshwater

1,170,880

251,740

275,108

92,992

23.5

Squids

139,419

47,038

111,799

53,498

80.2

Cephalopods, other

19,771

5,896

24,564

14,173

124.2

Abalone

85,311

58,262

18,843

11,735

22.1

Pipis

832,677

194,589

90,452

31,719

10.9

Worms

301,381

84,488

262,178

94,992

87.0

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

142 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 23 Annual recreational harvest (kept numbers) of key species by residents aged five years

and older who fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14. SE is

standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error > 40%; values in italics

indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

2000/01

2013/14

Species/group

Number

change

Bream

1,494,515

246,427

614,434

107,686

41.1

Flathead

1,689,523

211,518

961,344

126,411

56.9

Leatherjacket

246,212

61,054

71,269

21,133

28.9

Luderick

609,992

173,546

250,074

102,050

41.0

Mulloway

79,095

16,889

21,361

4,481

27.0

Red Rock Cod

28,238

7,344

6,430

3,022

22.8

Salmon, Australian

80,389

16,901

73,535

17,779

91.5

Sharks

19,212

4,647

3,089

1,160

16.1

Rays

7,943

4,217

2,193

895

27.6

Snapper

253,298

36,796

185,590

29,943

73.3

Swallowtail Dart

76,445

25,715

43,275

18,872

56.6

Tailor

879,011

163,103

189,614

40,826

21.6

Trevally

142,078

34,881

49,454

17,413

34.8

Tuna

94,281

47,496

46,333

24,191

49.1

Whiting

1,385,810

502,701

376,044

115,771

27.1

Wrasse/gropers

93,955

20,122

19,303

6,674

20.5

Yellowtail Kingfish

58,597

13,637

35,134

13,720

60.0

Blue Mackerel

206,313

51,876

125,129

37,285

60.7

Mullet

383,117

98,143

71,725

21,899

18.7

Yellowtail Scad

159,635

41,152

90,182

33,361

56.5

Other small baitfish

191,820

62,095

313,551

150,072

163.5

Australian Bass

13,677

4,378

11,305

3,690

82.7

European Carp

586,553

109,183

498,735

84,914

85.0

Golden Perch

344,881

52,406

76,529

11,117

22.2

Murray Cod

41,169

7,705

20,816

4,383

50.6

Redfin Perch

169,167

68,004

44,426

14,649

26.3

Trout

176,334

39,244

107,819

32,450

61.1

Blue Swimmer Crab

301,995

98,515

50,637

14,220

16.8

Mud Crab

39,964

13,161

30,052

8,865

75.2

Rock lobster

11,972

5,751

23,216

12,501

193.9

Prawns saltwater

9,458,274

5,368,839

724,756

426,343

7.7

Shrimp freshwater

228,353

88,955

330,025

108,398

144.5

Nippers saltwater

2,479,647

478,049

1,319,066

367,909

53.2

Yabbies freshwater

916,091

213,361

239,838

89,047

26.2

Squids

134,649

46,939

105,308

51,757

78.2

Cephalopods, other

10,574

4,886

13,136

9,871

124.2

Abalone

41,087

18,792

18,423

11,718

44.8

Pipis

743,444

170,324

87,760

31,272

11.8

Worms

298,472

84,409

262,178

94,992

87.8

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

143 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 24 Mean line fishing catch rates of key marine finfish species/groups (numbers per fisher day), by residents aged five years and older who fished in

NSW waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 - by water body type. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative standard error >

40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Species/group

2000/01

2013/14

% change

in total

catch rate

Total catch

(numbers)

Ocean

Estuary

All Saltwater

Total catch

(numbers)

Ocean

Estuary

All Saltwater

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Bream

4,237,360

0.87

0.12

1.29

0.12

0.91

0.09

2,195,105

0.35

0.05

1.13

0.13

0.72

0.08

80.0

Flathead

3,339,716

1.08

0.19

0.77

0.08

0.71

0.07

2,095,595

1.30

0.19

0.69

0.08

0.69

0.07

96.9

Leatherjacket

379,545

0.09

0.02

0.11

0.03

0.08

0.02

98,497

0.08

0.02

0.03

0.01

0.03

0.01

40.1

Luderick

881,651

0.23

0.11

0.24

0.05

0.19

0.05

418,273

0.14

0.06

0.19

0.10

0.14

0.06

73.3

Mulloway

102,571

0.04

0.01

0.02

0.01

0.02

0.00

111,359

0.02

0.01

0.06

0.02

0.04

0.01

167.7

Salmon, Australian

165,576

0.10

0.02

0.01

0.00

0.04

0.01

144,517

0.15

0.03

0.02

0.01

0.05

0.01

134.8

Snapper

1,240,551

0.35

0.05

0.32

0.15

0.26

0.08

754,655

0.42

0.06

0.27

0.07

0.25

0.04

93.9

Swallowtail Dart

196,259

0.13

0.04

0.00

0.04

0.01

118,935

0.16

0.05

0.00

0.04

0.01

93.6

Tailor

1,480,837

0.52

0.10

0.32

0.05

0.32

0.04

362,557

0.26

0.06

0.10

0.02

0.12

0.02

37.8

Trevally

221,269

0.11

0.03

0.01

0.05

0.01

87,940

0.07

0.02

0.01

0.03

0.01

61.4

Tuna

108,368

0.07

0.03

0.00

0.02

0.01

55,253

0.08

0.04

0.00

0.02

0.01

78.7

Whiting

2,255,992

0.31

0.05

0.78

0.24

0.48

0.13

725,097

0.16

0.03

0.35

0.08

0.24

0.05

49.6

Yellowtail Kingfish

122,005

0.06

0.01

0.03

0.01

95,924

0.11

0.04

0.01

0.03

0.01

121.4

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

144 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Appendix 25 Mean line fishing catch rates of key freshwater finfish species/groups (numbers per fisher day), by residents aged five years and older who

fished in NSW/ACT waters during 2000/01, compared with 2013/14 - by water body type. SE is standard error; values in bold indicate relative

standard error > 40%; values in italics indicate fewer than 30 households recorded catches of the species.

Species/group

2000/01

2013/14

% change

in total

catch rate

Total catch

(numbers)

River

Lake/dam

All

Freshwater

Total catch

(numbers)

River

Lake/dam

All

Freshwater

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Catch

rate

Australian Bass

90,956

0.13

0.03

0.05

0.02

0.00

192,181

0.24

0.09

0.39

0.17

0.06

0.02

326.3

Golden Perch

568,744

0.67

0.11

0.51

0.10

0.12

0.02

142,483

0.23

0.04

0.23

0.03

0.05

0.01

38.7

Murray Cod

160,104

0.27

0.06

0.02

0.03

0.01

165,384

0.43

0.07

0.02

0.05

0.01

159.5

Redfin Perch

353,849

0.05

0.01

0.71

0.29

0.08

0.03

136,279

0.12

0.11

0.33

0.13

0.04

0.02

59.5

Trout

325,045

0.31

0.07

0.37

0.08

0.07

0.01

157,975

0.08

0.02

0.46

0.12

0.05

0.01

75.1

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

145 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

Other titles in this series

No. 1 Andrew, N.L., Graham, K.J., Hodgson, K.E. and Gordon, G.N.G., 1998. Changes after 20 years in relative

abundance and size composition of commercial fishes caught during fishery independent surveys on SEF

trawl grounds. Final Report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Project no. 96/139.

No. 2 Virgona, J.L., Deguara, K.L., Sullings, D.J., Halliday, I. and Kelly, K., 1998. Assessment of the stocks of sea

mullet in New South Wales and Queensland waters.

No. 3 Stewart, J., Ferrell, D.J. and Andrew, N.L., 1998. Ageing Yellowtail (Trachurus novaezelandiae) and Blue

Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) in New South Wales.

No. 4 Pethebridge, R., Lugg, A. and Harris, J., 1998. Obstructions to fish passage in New South Wales South

Coast streams. 70pp.

No. 5 Kennelly, S.J. and Broadhurst, M.K., 1998. Development of by-catch reducing prawn-trawls and fishing

practices in NSW's prawn-trawl fisheries (and incorporating an assessment of the effect of increasing mesh

size in fish trawl gear). 18pp + appendices.

No. 6 Allan, G.L. and Rowland, S.J., 1998. Fish meal replacement in aquaculture feeds for silver perch. 237pp +

appendices.

No. 7 Allan, G.L., 1998. Fish meal replacement in aquaculture feeds: subprogram administration. 54pp +

appendices.

No. 8 Heasman, M.P., O'Connor, W.A. and O'Connor, S.J., 1998. Enhancement and farming of scallops in NSW

using hatchery produced seedstock. 146pp.

No. 9 Nell, J.A., McMahon, G.A. and Hand, R.E., 1998. Tetraploidy induction in Sydney rock oysters. 25pp.

No. 10 Nell, J.A. and Maguire, G.B., 1998. Commercialisation of triploid Sydney rock and Pacific oysters. Part 1:

Sydney rock oysters. 122pp.

No. 11 Watford, F.A. and Williams, R.J., 1998. Inventory of estuarine vegetation in Botany Bay, with special

reference to changes in the distribution of seagrass. 51pp.

No. 12 Andrew, N.L., Worthington D.G., Brett, P.A. and Bentley N., 1998. Interactions between the abalone fishery

and sea urchins in New South Wales.

No. 13 Jackson, K.L. and Ogburn, D.M., 1999. Review of depuration and its role in shellfish quality assurance.

77pp.

No. 14 Fielder, D.S., Bardsley, W.J. and Allan, G.L., 1999. Enhancement of Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) in

intermittently opening lagoons. 50pp + appendices.

No. 15 Otway, N.M. and Macbeth, W.G., 1999. The physical effects of hauling on seagrass beds. 86pp.

No. 16 Gibbs, P., McVea, T. and Louden, B., 1999. Utilisation of restored wetlands by fish and invertebrates.

142pp.

No. 17 Ogburn, D. and Ruello, N., 1999. Waterproof labelling and identification systems suitable for shellfish and

other seafood and aquaculture products. Whose oyster is that? 50pp.

No. 18 Gray, C.A., Pease, B.C., Stringfellow, S.L., Raines, L.P. and Walford, T.R., 2000. Sampling estuarine fish

species for stock assessment. Includes appendices by D.J. Ferrell, B.C. Pease, T.R. Walford, G.N.G.

Gordon, C.A. Gray and G.W. Liggins. 194pp.

No. 19 Otway, N.M. and Parker, P.C., 2000. The biology, ecology, distribution, abundance and identification of

marine protected areas for the conservation of threatened Grey Nurse Sharks in south east Australian

waters. 101pp.

No. 20 Allan, G.L. and Rowland, S.J., 2000. Consumer sensory evaluation of silver perch cultured in ponds on

meat meal based diets. 21pp + appendices.

No. 21 Kennelly, S.J. and Scandol, J. P., 2000. Relative abundances of spanner crabs and the development of a

population model for managing the NSW spanner crab fishery. 43pp + appendices.

No. 22 Williams, R.J., Watford, F.A. and Balashov, V., 2000. Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project: History of

changes to estuarine wetlands of the lower Hunter River. 82pp.

No. 23 Survey Development Working Group, 2000. Development of the National Recreational and Indigenous

Fishing Survey. Final Report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. (Volume 1 – 36pp +

Volume 2 – attachments).

No.24 Rowling, K.R and Raines, L.P., 2000. Description of the biology and an assessment of the fishery of Silver

Trevally Pseudocaranx dentex off New South Wales. 69pp.

No. 25 Allan, G.L., Jantrarotai, W., Rowland, S., Kosuturak, P. and Booth, M., 2000. Replacing fishmeal in

aquaculture diets. 13pp.

No. 26 Gehrke, P.C., Gilligan, D.M. and Barwick, M., 2001. Fish communities and migration in the Shoalhaven

River – Before construction of a fishway. 126pp.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

146 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

No. 27 Rowling, K.R. and Makin, D.L., 2001. Monitoring of the fishery for Gemfish Rexea solandri, 1996 to 2000.

44pp.

No. 28 Otway, N.M., 1999. Identification of candidate sites for declaration of aquatic reserves for the conservation

of rocky intertidal communities in the Hawkesbury Shelf and Batemans Shelf Bioregions. 88pp.

No. 29 Heasman, M.P., Goard, L., Diemar, J. and Callinan, R., 2000. Improved Early Survival of Molluscs: Sydney

Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata). 63pp.

No. 30 Allan, G.L., Dignam, A and Fielder, S., 2001. Developing Commercial Inland Saline Aquaculture in

Australia: Part 1. R&D Plan.

No. 31 Allan, G.L., Banens, B. and Fielder, S., 2001. Developing Commercial Inland Saline Aquaculture in

Australia: Part 2. Resource Inventory and Assessment. 33pp.

No. 32 Bruce, A., Growns, I. and Gehrke, P., 2001. Woronora River Macquarie Perch Survey. 116pp.

No. 33 Morris, S.A., Pollard, D.A., Gehrke, P.C. and Pogonoski, J.J., 2001. Threatened and Potentially Threatened

Freshwater Fishes of Coastal New South Wales and the Murray-Darling Basin. 177pp.

No. 34 Heasman, M.P., Sushames, T.M., Diemar, J.A., O’Connor, W.A. and Foulkes, L.A., 2001. Production of

Micro-algal Concentrates for Aquaculture Part 2: Development and Evaluation of Harvesting, Preservation,

Storage and Feeding Technology. 150pp + appendices.

No. 35 Stewart, J. and Ferrell, D.J., 2001. Mesh selectivity in the NSW demersal trap fishery. 86pp.

No. 36 Stewart, J., Ferrell, D.J., van der Walt, B., Johnson, D. and Lowry, M., 2001. Assessment of length and age

composition of commercial kingfish landings. 49pp.

No. 37 Gray, C.A. and Kennelly, S.J., 2001. Development of discard-reducing gears and practices in the estuarine

prawn and fish haul fisheries of NSW. 151pp.

No. 38 Murphy, J.J., Lowry, M.B., Henry, G.W. and Chapman, D., 2002. The Gamefish Tournament Monitoring

Program – 1993 to 2000. 93pp.

No. 39 Kennelly, S.J. and McVea, T.A. (Ed), 2002. Scientific reports on the recovery of the Richmond and Macleay

Rivers following fish kills in February and March 2001. 325pp.

No. 40 Pollard, D.A. and Pethebridge, R.L., 2002. Report on Port of Botany Bay Introduced Marine Pest Species

Survey. 69pp.

No. 41 Pollard, D.A. and Pethebridge, R.L., 2002. Report on Port Kembla Introduced Marine Pest Species Survey.

72pp.

No. 42 O’Connor, W.A, Lawler, N.F. and Heasman, M.P., 2003. Trial farming the akoya pearl oyster, Pinctada

imbricata, in Port Stephens, NSW. 170pp.

No. 43 Fielder, D.S. and Allan, G.L., 2003. Improving fingerling production and evaluating inland saline water

culture of snapper, Pagrus auratus. 62pp.

No. 44 Astles, K.L., Winstanley, R.K., Harris, J.H. and Gehrke, P.C., 2003. Experimental study of the effects of

cold water pollution on native fish. 55pp.

No. 45 Gilligan, D.M., Harris, J.H. and Mallen-Cooper, M., 2003. Monitoring changes in the Crawford River fish

community following replacement of an effective fishway with a vertical-slot fishway design: Results of an

eight year monitoring program. 80pp.

No. 46 Pollard, D.A. and Rankin, B.K., 2003. Port of Eden Introduced Marine Pest Species Survey. 67pp.

No. 47 Otway, N.M., Burke, A.L., Morrison, NS. and Parker, P.C., 2003. Monitoring and identification of NSW

Critical Habitat Sites for conservation of Grey Nurse Sharks. 62pp.

No. 48 Henry, G.W. and Lyle, J.M. (Ed), 2003. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey. 188 pp.

No. 49 Nell, J.A., 2003. Selective breeding for disease resistance and fast growth in Sydney rock oysters. 44pp.

(Also available – a CD-Rom published in March 2004 containing a collection of selected manuscripts

published over the last decade in peer-reviewed journals).

No. 50 Gilligan, D. and Schiller, S., 2003. Downstream transport of larval and juvenile fish. 66pp.

No. 51 Liggins, G.W., Scandol, J.P. and Kennelly, S.J., 2003. Recruitment of Population Dynamacist. 44pp.

No. 52 Steffe, A.S. and Chapman, J.P., 2003. A survey of daytime recreational fishing during the annual period,

March 1999 to February 2000, in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. 124pp.

No. 53 Barker, D. and Otway, N., 2003. Environmental assessment of zinc coated wire mesh sea cages in Botany

Bay NSW. 36pp.

No. 54 Growns, I., Astles, A. and Gehrke, P., 2003. Spatial and temporal variation in composition of riverine fish

communities. 24pp.

No. 55 Gray, C. A., Johnson, D.D., Young, D.J. and Broadhurst, M. K., 2003. Bycatch assessment of the Estuarine

Commercial Gill Net Fishery in NSW. 58pp.

No. 56 Worthington, D.G. and Blount, C., 2003. Research to develop and manage the sea urchin fisheries of NSW

and eastern Victoria. 182pp.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

147 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

No. 57 Baumgartner, L.J., 2003. Fish passage through a Deelder lock on the Murrumbidgee River, Australia. 34pp.

No. 58 Allan, G.L., Booth, M.A., David A.J. Stone, D.A.J. and Anderson, A.J., 2004. Aquaculture Diet Development

Subprogram: Ingredient Evaluation. 171pp.

No. 59 Smith, D.M., Allan, G.L. and Booth, M.A., 2004. Aquaculture Diet Development Subprogram: Nutrient

Requirements of Aquaculture Species. 220pp.

No. 60 Barlow, C.G., Allan, G.L., Williams, K.C., Rowland, S.J. and Smith, D.M., 2004. Aquaculture Diet

Development Subprogram: Diet Validation and Feeding Strategies. 197pp.

No. 61 Heasman, M.H., 2004. Sydney Rock Oyster Hatchery Workshop 8 – 9 August 2002, Port Stephens, NSW.

115pp.

No. 62 Heasman, M., Chick, R., Savva, N., Worthington, D., Brand, C., Gibson, P. and Diemar, J., 2004.

Enhancement of populations of abalone in NSW using hatchery-produced seed. 269pp.

No. 63 Otway, N.M. and Burke, A.L., 2004. Mark-recapture population estimate and movements of Grey Nurse

Sharks. 53pp.

No. 64 Creese, R.G., Davis, A.R. and Glasby, T.M., 2004. Eradicating and preventing the spread of the invasive

alga Caulerpa taxifolia in NSW. 110pp.

No. 65 Baumgartner, L.J., 2004. The effects of Balranald Weir on spatial and temporal distributions of lower

Murrumbidgee River fish assemblages. 30pp.

No. 66 Heasman, M., Diggles, B.K., Hurwood, D., Mather, P., Pirozzi, I. and Dworjanyn, S., 2004. Paving the way

for continued rapid development of the flat (angasi) oyster (Ostrea angasi) farming in New South Wales.

40pp.

ISSN 1449-9967 (NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries Final Report Series)

No. 67 Kroon, F.J., Bruce, A.M., Housefield, G.P. and Creese, R.G., 2004. Coastal floodplain management in

eastern Australia: barriers to fish and invertebrate recruitment in acid sulphate soil catchments. 212pp.

No. 68 Walsh, S., Copeland, C. and Westlake, M., 2004. Major fish kills in the northern rivers of NSW in 2001:

Causes, Impacts & Responses. 55pp.

No. 69 Pease, B.C. (Ed), 2004. Description of the biology and an assessment of the fishery for adult longfinned

eels in NSW. 168pp.

No. 70 West, G., Williams, R.J. and Laird, R., 2004. Distribution of estuarine vegetation in the Parramatta River

and Sydney Harbour, 2000. 37pp.

No. 71 Broadhurst, M.K., Macbeth, W.G. and Wooden, M.E.L., 2005. Reducing the discarding of small prawns in

NSW's commercial and recreational prawn fisheries. 202pp.

No. 72. Graham, K.J., Lowry, M.B. and Walford, T.R., 2005. Carp in NSW: Assessment of distribution, fishery and

fishing methods. 88pp.

No. 73 Stewart, J., Hughes, J.M., Gray, C.A. and Walsh, C., 2005. Life history, reproductive biology, habitat use

and fishery status of eastern sea garfish (Hyporhamphus australis) and river garfish (H. regularis ardelio) in

NSW waters. 180pp.

No. 74 Growns, I. and Gehrke, P., 2005. Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows: Assessment of predictive

modelling for river flows and fish. 33pp.

No. 75 Gilligan, D., 2005. Fish communities of the Murrumbidgee catchment: Status and trends. 138pp.

No. 76 Ferrell, D.J., 2005. Biological information for appropriate management of endemic fish species at Lord

Howe Island. 18 pp.

No. 77 Gilligan, D., Gehrke, P. and Schiller, C., 2005. Testing methods and ecological consequences of large-

scale removal of common carp. 46pp.

No. 78 Boys, C.A., Esslemont, G. and Thoms, M.C., 2005. Fish habitat and protection in the Barwon-Darling and

Paroo Rivers. 118pp.

No. 79 Steffe, A.S., Murphy, J.J., Chapman, D.J. and Gray, C.C., 2005. An assessment of changes in the daytime

recreational fishery of Lake Macquarie following the establishment of a ‘Recreational Fishing Haven’.

103pp.

No. 80 Gannassin, C. and Gibbs, P., 2005. Broad-Scale Interactions Between Fishing and Mammals, Reptiles and

Birds in NSW Marine Waters. 171pp.

No. 81 Steffe, A.S., Murphy, J.J., Chapman, D.J., Barrett, G.P. and Gray, C.A., 2005. An assessment of changes

in the daytime, boat-based, recreational fishery of the Tuross Lake estuary following the establishment of a

'Recreational Fishing Haven'. 70pp.

No. 82 Silberschnieder, V. and Gray, C.A., 2005. Arresting the decline of the commercial and recreational fisheries

for mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus). 71pp.

No. 83 Gilligan, D., 2005. Fish communities of the Lower Murray-Darling catchment: Status and trends. 106pp.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

148 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

No. 84 Baumgartner, L.J., Reynoldson, N., Cameron, L. and Stanger, J., 2006. Assessment of a Dual-frequency

Identification Sonar (DIDSON) for application in fish migration studies. 33pp.

No. 85 Park, T., 2006. FishCare Volunteer Program Angling Survey: Summary of data collected and

recommendations. 41pp.

No. 86 Baumgartner, T., 2006. A preliminary assessment of fish passage through a Denil fishway on the Edward

River, Australia. 23pp.

No. 87 Stewart, J., 2007. Observer study in the Estuary General sea garfish haul net fishery in NSW. 23pp.

No. 88 Faragher, R.A., Pogonoski, J.J., Cameron, L., Baumgartner, L. and van der Walt, B., 2007. Assessment of

a stocking program: Findings and recommendations for the Snowy Lakes Trout Strategy. 46pp.

No. 89 Gilligan, D., Rolls, R., Merrick, J., Lintermans, M., Duncan, P. and Kohen, J., 2007. Scoping knowledge

requirements for Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus). Final report to the Murray Darling Basin

Commission for Project No. 05/1066 NSW 103pp.

No. 90 Kelleway, J., Williams. R.J. and Allen, C.B., 2007. An assessment of the saltmarsh of the Parramatta River

and Sydney Harbour. 100pp.

No. 91 Williams, R.J. and Thiebaud, I., 2007. An analysis of changes to aquatic habitats and adjacent land-use in

the downstream portion of the Hawkesbury Nepean River over the past sixty years. 97pp.

No. 92 Baumgartner, L., Reynoldson, N., Cameron, L. and Stanger, J. The effects of selected irrigation practices

on fish of the Murray-Darling Basin. 90pp.

No. 93 Rowland, S.J., Landos, M., Callinan, R.B., Allan, G.L., Read, P., Mifsud, C., Nixon, M., Boyd, P. and Tally,

P., 2007. Development of a health management strategy for the Silver Perch Aquaculture Industry. 219pp.

No. 94 Park, T., 2007. NSW Gamefish Tournament Monitoring – Angling Research Monitoring Program. Final

report to the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. 142pp.

No. 95 Heasman, M.P., Liu, W., Goodsell, P.J., Hurwood D.A. and Allan, G.L., 2007. Development and delivery of

technology for production, enhancement and aquaculture of blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) in New South

Wales. 226pp.

No. 96 Ganassin, C. and Gibbs, P.J., 2007. A review of seagrass planting as a means of habitat compensation

following loss of seagrass meadow. 41pp.

No. 97 Stewart, J. and Hughes, J., 2008. Determining appropriate harvest size at harvest for species shared by the

commercial trap and recreational fisheries in New South Wales. 282pp.

No. 98 West, G. and Williams, R.J., 2008. A preliminary assessment of the historical, current and future cover of

seagrass in the estuary of the Parramatta River. 61pp.

No. 99 Williams, D.L. and Scandol, J.P., 2008. Review of NSW recreational fishing tournament-based monitoring

methods and datasets. 83pp.

No. 100 Allan, G.L., Heasman, H. and Bennison, S., 2008. Development of industrial-scale inland saline

aquaculture: Coordination and communication of R&D in Australia. 245pp.

No. 101 Gray, C.A and Barnes, L.M., 2008. Reproduction and growth of dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) in

NSW estuaries. 26pp.

No. 102 Graham, K.J., 2008. The Sydney inshore trawl-whiting fishery: codend selectivity and fishery

characteristics. 153pp.

No. 103 Macbeth, W.G., Johnson, D.D. and Gray, C.A., 2008. Assessment of a 35-mm square-mesh codend and

composite square-mesh panel configuration in the ocean prawn-trawl fishery of northern New South Wales.

104pp.

No. 104 O’Connor, W.A., Dove, M. and Finn, B., 2008. Sydney rock oysters: Overcoming constraints to commercial

scale hatchery and nursery production. 119pp.

No. 105 Glasby, T.M. and Lobb, K., 2008. Assessing the likelihoods of marine pest introductions in Sydney

estuaries: A transport vector approach. 84pp.

No. 106 Rotherham, D., Gray, C.A., Underwood, A.J., Chapman, M.G. and Johnson, D.D., 2008. Developing

fishery-independent surveys for the adaptive management of NSW’s estuarine fisheries. 135pp.

No. 107 Broadhurst, M., 2008. Maximising the survival of bycatch discarded from commercial estuarine fishing

gears in NSW. 192pp.

No. 108 Gilligan, D., McLean, A. and Lugg, A., 2009. Murray Wetlands and Water Recovery Initiatives: Rapid

assessment of fisheries values of wetlands prioritised for water recovery. 69pp.

No. 109 Williams, R.J. and Thiebaud, I., 2009. Occurrence of freshwater macrophytes in the catchments of the

Parramatta River, Lane Cove River and Middle Harbour Creek, 2007 – 2008. 75pp.

No. 110 Gilligan, D., Vey, A. and Asmus, M., 2009. Identifying drought refuges in the Wakool system and assessing

status of fish populations and water quality before, during and after the provision of environmental, stock

and domestic flows. 56pp.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

149 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

ISSN 1837-2112 (Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Final Report Series)

No. 111 Gray, C.A., Scandol. J.P., Steffe, A.S. and Ferrell, D.J., 2009. Australian Society for Fish Biology Annual

Conference & Workshop 2008: Assessing Recreational Fisheries; Current and Future Challenges. 54pp.

No. 112 Otway, N.M. Storrie, M.T., Louden, B.M. and Gilligan, J.J., 2009. Documentation of depth-related migratory

movements, localised movements at critical habitat sites and the effects of scuba diving for the east coast

grey nurse shark population. 90pp.

No. 113 Creese, R.G., Glasby, T.M., West, G. and Gallen, C., 2009. Mapping the habitats of NSW estuaries. 95pp.

No. 114 Macbeth, W.G., Geraghty, P.T., Peddemors, V.M. and Gray, C.A., 2009. Observer-based study of targeted

commercial fishing for large shark species in waters off northern New South Wales. 82pp.

No. 115 Scandol, J.P., Ives, M.C. and Lockett, M.M., 2009. Development of national guidelines to improve the

application of risk-based methods in the scope, implementation and interpretation of stock assessments for

data-poor species. 186pp.

No. 116 Baumgartner, L., Bettanin, M., McPherson, J., Jones, M., Zampatti, B. and Kathleen Beyer., 2009.

Assessment of an infrared fish counter (Vaki Riverwatcher) to quantify fish migrations in the Murray-Darling

Basin. 47pp.

No. 117 Astles, K., West, G., and Creese, R.G., 2010. Estuarine habitat mapping and geomorphic characterisation

of the Lower Hawkesbury river and Pittwater estuaries. 229pp.

No. 118 Gilligan, D., Jess, L., McLean, G., Asmus, M., Wooden, I., Hartwell, D., McGregor, C., Stuart, I., Vey, A.,

Jefferies, M., Lewis, B. and Bell, K., 2010. Identifying and implementing targeted carp control options for

the Lower Lachlan Catchment. 126pp.

No. 119 Montgomery, S.S., Walsh, C.T., Kesby, C.L and Johnson, D.D., 2010. Studies on the growth and mortality

of school prawns. 90pp.

No. 120 Liggins, G.W. and Upston, J., 2010. Investigating and managing the Perkinsus-related mortality of blacklip

abalone in NSW. 182pp.

No. 121 Knight, J., 2010. The feasibility of excluding alien redfin perch from Macquarie perch habitat in the

Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment. 53pp.

No. 122 Ghosn, D., Steffe, A., Murphy, J., 2010. An assessment of the effort and catch of shore and boat-based

recreational fishers in the Sydney Harbour estuary over the 2007/08 summer period. 60pp.

No. 123 Rourke, M. and Gilligan, D., 2010. Population genetic structure of freshwater catfish (Tandanus tandanus)

in the Murray-Darling Basin and coastal catchments of New South Wales: Implications for future re-stocking

programs. 74pp.

No. 124 Tynan, R., Bunter, K. and O’Connor, W., 2010. Industry Management and Commercialisation of the Sydney

Rock Oyster Breeding Program. 21pp.

No. 125 Lowry, M., Folpp, H., Gregson, M. and McKenzie, R., 2010. Assessment of artificial reefs in Lake

Macquarie NSW. 47pp.

No. 126 Howell, T. and Creese, R., 2010. Freshwater fish communities of the Hunter, Manning, Karuah and

Macquarie-Tuggerah catchments: a 2004 status report. 93pp.

No. 127 Gilligan, D., Rodgers, M., McGarry, T., Asmus, M. and Pearce, L., 2010. The distribution and abundance of

two endangered fish species in the NSW Upper Murray Catchment. 34pp.

No. 128 Gilligan, D., McGarry, T. and Carter, S., 2010. A scientific approach to developing habitat rehabilitation

strategies in aquatic environments: A case study on the endangered Macquarie perch (

Macquaria

australasica

) in the Lachlan catchment. 61pp.

No. 129 Stewart, J., Hughes, J., McAllister, J., Lyle, J. and MacDonald, M., 2011. Australian salmon (Arripis trutta):

Population structure, reproduction, diet and composition of commercial and recreational catches. 257 pp.

ISSN 1837-2112 (Fisheries Final Report Series)

No. 130 Boys, C., Glasby, T., Kroon, F., Baumgartner, L., Wilkinson, K., Reilly, G. and Fowler, T., 2011. Case

studies in restoring connectivity of coastal aquatic habitats: floodgates, box culvert and rock-ramp fishway.

75pp.

No. 131 Steffe, A.S. and Murphy, J.J., 2011. Recreational fishing surveys in the Greater Sydney Region. 122pp.

No. 132 Robbins, W.D., Peddemors, V.M. and Kennelly, S.J., 2012. Assessment of shark sighting rates by aerial

beach patrols. 38pp.

No. 133 Boys, C.A. and Williams, R.J., 2012. Fish and decapod assemblages in Kooragang Wetlands: the impact of

tidal restriction and responses to culvert removal. 80pp.

No. 134 Boys, C.A, Baumgartner,L., Rampano, B., Alexander, T., Reilly, G., Roswell, M., Fowler, T and Lowry. M.

2012. Development of fish screening criteria for water diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin. 62pp.

West et al. NSW/ACT Recreational Fishing Survey – 2013/14

150 NSW Department of Primary Industries, December 2015

No. 135 Boys, C.A, Southwell, M., Thoms, M., Fowler, T, Thiebaud, I., Alexander, T. and Reilly, G. 2012. Evaluation

of aquatic rehabilitation in the Bourke to Brewarrina Demonstration Reach, Barwon-Darling River, Australia.

133pp

No. 136 Baumgartner, L., McPherson, B., Doyle, J., Cory, J., Cinotti, N. and Hutchison, J. 2013. Quantifying and

mitigating the impacts of weirs on downstream passage of native fish in the Murray-Darling Basin. 79pp.

No. 137 Boys, C.A, Baumgartner, B., Miller, B., Deng, Z., Brown, R. and Pflugrath, B. 2013. Protecting downstream

migrating fish at mini hydropower and other river infrastructure. 93pp.

No. 138 Hughes, J.M. and Stewart, J. 2013. Assessment of barotrauma and its mitigation measures on the

behaviour and survival of snapper and mulloway. 152pp.

No. 139 Ochwada-Doyle, F.A., McLeod, J., Barrett, G., Clarke, G. and Gray, C.A., 2014. Assessment of

recreational fishing in three recreational fishing havens in New South Wales. 29pp.

No. 140 Walsh, C. T., Rodgers, M. P., Thorne, N. J. and Robinson, W. A., 2013. Thermoshock Fish Mortality

Investigation. 32pp.

No. 141 Boys, C.A., Navarro, A., Robinson, W., Fowler, T., Chilcott, S., Miller, B., Pflugrath, B., Baumgartner, L.J.,

McPherson, J., Brown, R. and Deng, Z., 2014. Downstream fish passage criteria for hydropower and

irrigation infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin. 119pp.

No. 142 Cameron, L., Baumgartner, L. and Miners, B., 2012. Assessment of Australian bass restocking in the

upper Snowy River. 102pp.

No. 143 Walsh, C., Rodgers, M., Robinson, W. and Gilligan, D., 2014. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the

Tallowa Dam Fishway. 89pp.

ISSN 2204-8669 (NSW Trade & Investment – Fisheries Final Report Series)

No. 144 Ghosn, D.L., Collins, D.P. and Gould, A., 2015. The NSW Game Fish Tournament Monitoring Program

1994 to 2013: A summary of data and assessment of the role and design. 200pp.

No. 145 Boys, C., 2015. Changes in fish and crustacean assemblages in tidal creeks of Hexham Swamp following

the staged opening of Ironbark Creek floodgates. 47pp.

No. 146 Jordan, A., and Creese, R. 2015. Ecological Background to the Assessment of Shore-Based Recreational

fishing on Ocean Beaches and Rocky Headlands in Sanctuary Zones in mainland NSW Marine Parks.

114pp.

No. 147 Glasby, T.M. and West, G., 2015. Estimating losses of Posidonia australis due to boat moorings in Lake

Macquarie, Port Stephens and Wallis Lake. 30pp.

No. 148 Macbeth, W.G. and Gray, C.A., 2016. Observer-based study of commercial line fishing in waters off New

South Wales. 151p.

No. 149 West, L.D., Stark, K.E., Murphy, J.J., Lyle, J.M. and Ochwada-Doyle, F.A., 2016. Survey of Recreational

Fishing in New South Wales and the ACT, 2013/14. 150p.