Hooked on Fishing

A new survey of Queenslanders’ recreational habits shows that almost one million cast a line over the last year.

Advising of new survey results that show almost one in five Queenslanders went fishing at least once in the past year, Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner stated “more than 8,500 people have taken part in Queensland’s biggest survey of recreational fishing in six years.

“Based on the responses, an estimated 943,000 Queenslanders, or nearly 19% of the population, cast a line at least once over the last year.

“Six years ago only 15% of people surveyed said they’d gone fishing, but these latest results show that the popularity of fishing in Queensland is growing.”

Minister Furner said the growth in numbers underlined the importance of the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Fisheries reforms, adding “we are determined to build a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and our grandchildren.

“With close to one million Queenslanders enjoying fishing and an increasing number of tourists contributing to growth in related industries, we owe it to future generations to look after this resource now and in to the future.”

He went on to say that participation rates in most of regional Queensland were also increasing, noting “the largest increase was on the Gold Coast, where more than 13% of people said they’d been fishing at least once compared to just under 9% in the last survey six years ago.

“But it’s in north Queensland where the passion for fishing truly lies, with 38% of people in the Mackay Hinterland, 36% in the Far North and 34% in the Northern hinterland areas casting a line in the last year.

“And it seems people are getting hooked on fishing at a younger age too, with the survey showing more than 23% of respondents were under the age of 14, compared to 20% six years ago.”

The second stage of the state-wide recreational fishing survey is now underway with more than 2,500 households invited to complete the 12 month logbook diary to contribute their important recreational catch and effort information.

The Queensland Government included $10 million for the establishment of three net free zones in 2015.

Minister Furner said the latest findings were timely with the release last month of its $100,000 recreational fishing grants program.

Applications closed earlier in July and are currently being evaluated.

For more information, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au

Source
Australian Leisure Management