Over a quarter of Tasmania’s population participated in recreational fishing in 2022–23, according to a new survey by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The Survey of Recreational Fishing in Tasmania found that around 130,500 Tasmanians aged five and older went fishing at least once in the year leading up to October 2022, marking a return to participation levels not seen since 2000. The highest participation rates were among children aged 5–14, with one in three fishing annually—a trend welcomed by researchers as a positive shift toward outdoor activity.

Despite the growth in participation, most people fish infrequently, with two-thirds fishing fewer than five days per year. Still, this adds up to nearly 500,000 fisher-days of effort across the state, mostly through line fishing in inshore marine waters. While total effort has remained steady, the overall harvest has declined, largely due to fewer Sand Flathead being caught. Nonetheless, Sand Flathead remains the most commonly caught species, accounting for half of all finfish harvested.

Lead author and IMAS Fisheries & Aquaculture Centre Head Professor Sean Tracey noted that while recent regulations were introduced to help the depleted Sand Flathead population recover, these changes haven’t deterred participation. Instead, fishers have diversified their catch, increasingly targeting other species such as King George Whiting, Snapper, and Yellowtail Kingfish—some of which are extending their ranges due to environmental changes.

The survey also revealed that recreational fishers are now harvesting more than commercial sectors for around half of the key species assessed, highlighting the growing role of the recreational sector in fishery sustainability. Professor Tracey emphasized the importance of education in sustainable practices, including proper catch-and-release handling, to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy fishing.

The study was funded by the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement and the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS).

Full University of Tasmania article here: https://www.utas.edu.au/about/news-and-stories/articles/2024/imas-scientists-cast-line-to-capture-recreational-fishing-trends