Why Fishing Is So Important To Australians
- Recreational fishing is one of Australia’s most popular participation activities and provides a vital connection of human beings to natural environments.
- We know that recreational fishing has enormous mental and physical health benefits for the individuals who participate. In the US some physicians are prescribing fishing and other outdoors activities as a treatment for stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD.
- Many regional and rural economies thrive on the fishing tourism dollar. Wealth generated in the cities is often redistributed to regional areas by travelling fishers.
- Whilst some previously socially acceptable activities have fallen from favour, fishing has maintained “social licence”. There is participation by males and females of all ages and the culture of catch and kill has swung more towards sustainable fishing.
- Recreational fishers play an important role as custodians of waterways and as citizen scientists who actively contribute to the understanding and management of fish, fisheries and waterway health.
- It’s a fun, healthy, social pursuit!
Why The National Rec Fishing Survey Is So Important……
- Whilst we know there are massive benefits of sustainable, ethical rec fishing to health, regional economies, aquatic environments and to the social fabric, we often can’t quantify those benefits.
- Putting solid, reliable figures on the benefits of recreational fishing is massively important in justifying why fisheries should remain open, why facilities and amenities for fishers should be improved and why fishing tourism should be supported and encouraged.
- An estimated 25% of Australians fish each year, which means that 75% of Australians may not understand the important role of fishing in our community.
5 Great Reasons Why You Should Complete The Survey……
1. It only takes a few minutes, costs nothing and will genuinely help to secure the future of recreational fishing.
2. You’re in lockdown already dude, how much Youtube can you watch really? Take. Few minutes to do something constructive and feel good about it!
3. The more info that gets collected the more rigorous the results. The more rigorous the results the more compelling the argument to protect, enhance and encourage fishing opportunities.
4. There is absolutely zero chance that completing the survey will provide data that can be used against fishers. None. This survey was instigated by the tackle trade and is being run by a passionate rec fisher and fisheries biologist, todays Guest Andy Moore.
5. You’ll be in the running for some great prizes including a dream fishing holiday and the opportunity to join an exclusive live panel session with Andy and some top anglers.
What are you waiting for? Complete the survey here.
Dr Andy Moore
Fisheries Biologist & Obsessed Angler
Andy started fishing at a very young age and became a lure fishing convert when, as a thirteen year old, he met and had the opportunity to fish with Vic McCrystal. He’s since fished all over Australia and overseas using Lures and flies. When he’s not fishing Andy is just as passionate about his work as a Fisheries Scientist, where he’s researched Eastern Cod, studied the impacts of exotic fish on our native population and grappled with assessments of fish stocks and recruitment.
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