2019-20 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey - Social and Attitudinal Results

Abstract

This report presents results from Phase 3 (social and attitudinal survey; also referred to as the washup survey) of the 2019–20 statewide recreational fishing survey. The washup survey was conducted at the completion of the 12-month logbook survey (Phase 2), which is presented in the Key results report (Teixeira et al. 2021). The washup survey aimed to collect social and attitudinal data from recreational fishers on a range of fisheries topics to help inform the social dimensions of recreational fisheries management. Key results of the washup survey include:
• Fishing frequency: Most fishers (70 per cent) reported a decline in fishing frequency during the logbook survey relative to the previous five years.
• Satisfaction with fishing: Overall fishing satisfaction was high, with 70 per cent of fishers reporting that they were satisfied with fishing during the previous 12 months.
• Catch orientation: Most fishers were not highly catch-oriented, suggesting that people went fishing for more reasons than to just catch fish.
• Centrality of fishing to lifestyle: Most fishers agreed that while fishing is highly enjoyable, other recreational activities are also important and socialising with friends is not reliant on fishing.
• Stocked Impoundments: 22 per cent of fishers stated that they had fished in a stocked impoundment at any time.
• Biosecurity: 50 per cent of fishers said that they recalled hearing advice to not use supermarket prawns as bait.
• Vessel ownership: 53 per cent of fishing households owned a boat, kayak or jet ski.
• Information: Friends and family were the most common source of fishing information.
• Engagement with Fisheries Queensland: Over 75 per cent of fishers were extremely satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their engagement with Fisheries Queensland. 78 per cent of fishers stated that Fisheries Queensland was very genuine or somewhat genuine about engaging with recreational fishers.
• Management performance: 53 per cent of fishers thought that Fisheries Queensland does a good job managing Queensland’s fisheries.
• Management strategies: When asked where money should be spent on recreational fisheries, over half of fishers mentioned fish stocking programs and fisheries science. 76 per cent of fishers thought that management should be based on fisheries science.
• Enforcement: 27 per cent of fishers mentioned the need to improve compliance and enforcement of regulations.