Evolution and objectives of diverse Australian recreational fisheries monitoring programs

Abstract

Approximately half a billion people engage in recreational fishing, and are estimated to capture at least 10 million tons of fish annually, equivalent to 12% of the global fish catch. However, the recreational fishing sector can be difficult to monitor due to the lack of mandatory reporting of catch and participation. Australia, where one in five adults, or 4.2 million people, participate in recreational fishing annually, highlighted the need to collect information and monitor recreational fishing activity, catch, fish biology, and economic and social values in its 1994 ‘National Policy for Recreational Fishing.’ Here, we identify past and present Australian recreational fisheries monitoring programs (RFMPs) and provide a comprehensive overview of their objectives and methodologies, specifically considering their alignment with the four key research foci identified in the ‘National Policy for Recreational Fishing in Australia.’ We identified 40 unique marine state-wide multi-species RFMPs across all Australian states and territories. Most RFMPs focus on collecting catch, fishing activity and social and economic values information, and rarely contribute information on fish biology. However, there has been ongoing expansions in the number and scope of RFMPs, and an increasing proportion of offsite (i.e., information collected outside the fishing location) programs. While offsite monitoring programs are often cost-effective, we emphasize the crucial role played by onsite monitoring surveys. Results from this review can be used in plans for further expanding recreational monitoring programs towards a more comprehensive and in depth understanding of the recreational fisheries sector in Australia.