Determining The Design, Output Specifications And Sample Size For A National Social And Economic Survey Of Recreational Fishers In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$125,156.00
Summary
A national recreational fishing survey of social and economic contribution is proposed for 2017-18.
The recommendation of the 2015 scoping study for a national recreational fishing survey was to implement a phone-diary survey to deliver the multiple objectives of assessing recreational catch, effort and socio-economic information. Since the focus of the proposed survey has now shifted to specifically focus on the socio-economic aspects of recreational fishing there is a strong need to ....A national recreational fishing survey of social and economic contribution is proposed for 2017-18.
The recommendation of the 2015 scoping study for a national recreational fishing survey was to implement a phone-diary survey to deliver the multiple objectives of assessing recreational catch, effort and socio-economic information. Since the focus of the proposed survey has now shifted to specifically focus on the socio-economic aspects of recreational fishing there is a strong need to reassess the priority questions and data needs of key stakeholders relating to this objective and re-assess the most appropriate survey technique to deliver a statistically robust and stakeholder relevant socio-economic survey. Note: extrapolation from small, unrepresentative, or biased sampling can lead to large errors in survey estimates and in recent times, certain recreational fishing surveys have produced questionable results due to such factors.
Objectives: 1. Identify agreed data needs and output specifications of a national socio-economic survey of recreational fishing 2. Review existing social and economic survey methodologies, with consideration of a broad range of recreational activities, including recreational fishing 3. Develop an appropriate survey framework to deliver the data needs and output specifications agreed in Objective 1 Read moreRead less
WRL Communication, Education And Engagement Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$750,000.00
Summary
The Western Rock Lobster Council’s (WRLC) Strategic Plan defines the organisation’s purpose as providing the community with the economic and social benefits of a sustainable western rock lobster industry supplying its iconic product to local and overseas markets.
It outlines a vision for industry to have the full confidence of government, the community, and members as a well-resourced, self-funded peak body engaged in advocacy and co-management for improved resource security.
O ....The Western Rock Lobster Council’s (WRLC) Strategic Plan defines the organisation’s purpose as providing the community with the economic and social benefits of a sustainable western rock lobster industry supplying its iconic product to local and overseas markets.
It outlines a vision for industry to have the full confidence of government, the community, and members as a well-resourced, self-funded peak body engaged in advocacy and co-management for improved resource security.
One of the key actions outlined in the Strategic Plan under the fourth key objective ‘Ensure the social licence to operate is supported by government, community and industry’ is to develop and implement a revised communications strategy for members, stakeholders, and the community.
While the indications for achieving social licence for the western rock lobster industry are currently positive, consolidating and increasing that support depends on the evolving social and political landscape. Building on the on innovation and lessons learnt during the execution of the previous Communication Program 2020-058, and through the development and application of more mature initiatives drawn out from its updated Communication and Engagement Strategy, the industry will strengthen its connection to the community, continue to increase support from key stakeholders and the general public, and consolidate its Social Licence to operate. This Program application delivers on that commitment. Objectives: 1. Strengthen industry members' engagement: Increase the full participation by internal stakeholders in Council activities, to best enable the Council to represent the industry to government and other stakeholders. This includes industry engagement and communication of WRL IPA activities and R&D outputs. 2. Broaden and deepen relationships with external stakeholders from government and other industries to make the Council and the industry more resilient. 3. Build awareness of the significant contribution the industry continues to make to coastal communities, and the state. 4. Increase community awareness of the availability and accessibility of western rock lobster. 5. Ensure the industry is getting maximum social license benefits from its Marine Stewardship Council certification as a sustainable fishery. Read moreRead less
Design Of A Fishery Independent Longline Survey For Chondrichthyans In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$82,125.00
Summary
Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or ....Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or avoid species to suit quota availability, meet market demands, or to comply with management arrangements. • Differences in selectivity of fishing gear and use of bycatch-reduction devices. • The combined impacts of multiple management restrictions on a fishery. For example, gillnet operations in what was once the Northern Territory’s Shark Fishery now almost exclusively target Grey Mackerel. This change in practice has resulted in an index that is losing its relevance in assessing shark species.
Over 140 elasmobranchs are listed on CITES Appendix II, with the likely-hood that more species will be added in the future. Of the 11,082t of shark landed by the fishery since 2000, CITES listed Hammerheads comprise 17.25% of the shark catch. Other sharks caught by the fishery that were recently added to CITES Appendix II at the Nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Panama City (Panama), 14 – 25 November 2022 include: Grey Reef Shark, Dusky Whaler, Sandbar Shark, Lemon Shark, Whitecheek shark and all other members of the family Carcharhinidae (which include the Blacktip Shark complex that is the main shark species caught by the fishery - 4688t or 42% since 2000). These species will require a positive Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) and CITES export permit in order to be exported following the 12-month delay in implementation (i.e., December 2023). The fishery also catches Threatened, Endangered and Protected Elasmobranchs, some of which are also CITES listed.
Gillnet and longline effort has decreased since 2000 and there is significant latent effort in the fishery. There is a desire to utilise this latent effort, however, the CITES listing of the majority of sharks species caught in the fishery will increase scrutiny from State, Commonwealth and International environmental agencies, as well as NGOs. This heightened scrutiny will provide greater impetus to demonstrate that shark stocks are at sustainable levels and that fishing is being undertaken sustainably.
There is a strong need for independent survey methods to gain a better understanding of the abundance patterns of shark species over time that can contribute to the development of appropriate management of these species that meets environmental, fisheries, and conservation needs.
Surveying Northern Australia using longlining methods would provide a fishery independent estimate of relative abundance for sharks that would improve economic security and public confidence in sustainability. However, to make an informed decision of the feasibility of a survey a full understanding of the scope of work and cost required is needed. There is a need to look at existing long line surveys undertaken worldwide (e.g. in the USA and Bahamas), to understanding the methods undertaken and the time period required to develop accurate abundance estimates.
Objectives: 1. Analysis of commercial logbook data to inform fishery independent survey design 2. Conduct a literature review to determine potential design of longline fishery independent survey 3. Hold a workshop to discuss options for a NT shark longline survey 4. Develop final design and costs for a NT shark longline survey Read moreRead less
National Social And Economic Survey Of Recreational Fishers 2019
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,233,987.00
Summary
Currently there is a lack of national scale, consistent and robust data on the motivations and behaviours of recreational fishers, and lack of robust data on the social and economic contribution of recreational fishing. Where many commercial fisheries have regular collection and estimation process for economic data, this is not the case for recreational fishing in most of Australia. This lack of data also includes behaviour and motivations and how they are changing. These data are useful for inf ....Currently there is a lack of national scale, consistent and robust data on the motivations and behaviours of recreational fishers, and lack of robust data on the social and economic contribution of recreational fishing. Where many commercial fisheries have regular collection and estimation process for economic data, this is not the case for recreational fishing in most of Australia. This lack of data also includes behaviour and motivations and how they are changing. These data are useful for informing discussions on resource allocation and in understanding and managing recreational fisheries more generally. If these data are to be used to inform governments and the general public, there is a need to make sure it is collected in a robust way that is representative of the Australian population. Large scale representative data sets are often expensive to acquire and as a result do not get undertaken regularly. One off surveys only provide useful data for any particular point in time, but understanding trends can often be more useful. This study aims to implement and test methodologies to provide a robust and representative sample, while trying to reduce costs to allow for more regular data gathering. To do this requires addressing another need: that of testing new survey methodologies for collecting data from recreational fishers that enables assessment of social and economic contribution. Recreational fishing surveys traditionally use probability based phone or mail surveys, however both methods are experiencing rapid decline in response rates and representativeness. It is expected that going into the future, online surveys that use a range of appropriate recruitment methods will be the most common survey method. There is a need to invest in establishing robust approaches to using these methods, and in understanding how their findings differ to those of traditional probability based surveys. Objectives: 1. Assess social and economic contribution of recreational fishing using multiple methods, including direct and flow-on economic benefits, and market and non-market benefits 2. Identify which approaches to recruiting survey participants and completing surveys produce the most representative and robust results 3. Recommend most appropriate and cost effective survey method to use to track change social and economic aspects of recreational fishing in Australia over time Read moreRead less
Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Research, Development And Extension Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
The Tasmanian salmon farming industry has undergone exceptional production and profitability gains in its short history and has ambitious targets for the future. A report commissioned in 2015 indicated an annual Industry gross output of $1.12 billion and the direct employment of almost 2800 full time positions. Projecting forward, the Industry is confident of turning over $2 billion by 2030, with clear implications for continued jobs growth and economic impacts within Tasmania. To achieve this, ....The Tasmanian salmon farming industry has undergone exceptional production and profitability gains in its short history and has ambitious targets for the future. A report commissioned in 2015 indicated an annual Industry gross output of $1.12 billion and the direct employment of almost 2800 full time positions. Projecting forward, the Industry is confident of turning over $2 billion by 2030, with clear implications for continued jobs growth and economic impacts within Tasmania. To achieve this, and to strengthen linkages with Government, the Tasmanian community and myriad stakeholders, ongoing proactive and reactive research is vital. This point is particularly salient given the present need to diversify the research portfolio to address potential constraints to industry growth. For example, spatial limitations on the expansion of grow-out operations in sheltered waters have resulted in new research and development approaches to investigate and trial offshore farming operations. Expanding the scope of the research and development program in such a manner is replete with complexities requiring significant input and coordination by the TSGA.
The portfolio of research funded between the FRDC and TSGA is significant, with around $4m of combined funding available each year – an amount steadily growing as Industry GVP grows. There is a need for both the FRDC and TSGA to have the capacity to actively manage this research portfolio, understand the current and future opportunities requiring research, development and extension (RD&E), and to communicate outputs to all stakeholders. Previously, these tasks were largely undertaken by the former TSGA CEO and, at times consultants were hired on an ad hoc basis. Given industry expansion however, there is a pressing need for a permanent role dedicated to addressing and coordinating the management needs of a RD&E portfolio that is growing in size, scope and complexity.
Objectives: 1. Coordinate Atlantic salmon farming RD&E planning and management so that RD&E is strategically prioritized to address Industry needs and delivered cost-effectively. 2. Communicate information and the extension of R&D outputs to support and promote the adoption of new technologies and scientific developments. 3. Develop an updated RD&E Strategy for the Industry to guide research for the period 2020-2025. Read moreRead less
Recreational Fishing And Human Wellbeing: Insights From Existing Data And Development Of Best Practice Approaches To Future Measurement
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$46,000.00
Summary
This project is needed as there are knowledge gaps about the effect of recreational fishing on the health and wellbeing of recreational fishers. Recent years have seen many claims about the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing, as well as growing interest in nature connection and outdoor recreation as wellbeing interventions more generally. Measuring and valuing the wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing is not currently possible due to a lack of evidence, and limited method ....This project is needed as there are knowledge gaps about the effect of recreational fishing on the health and wellbeing of recreational fishers. Recent years have seen many claims about the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing, as well as growing interest in nature connection and outdoor recreation as wellbeing interventions more generally. Measuring and valuing the wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing is not currently possible due to a lack of evidence, and limited methods for monitoring, measuring and reporting wellbeing effects. The FRDC’s RD&E Plan 2015-20 aims by 2020 to have robust community net benefit metrics that enable measurement of the benefits of fishing. This project will develop robust metrics related to health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing. Achieving this requires better understanding both (i) whether and under what circumstances engaging in recreational fishing has measurable impacts on health and wellbeing, and (ii) how to measure these benefits to produce readily accessible and understandable metrics. This will help achieve the FRDC’s national research strategy deliverable ‘Social contribution is supported by the fishing and aquaculture sector so it can capture the non-monetary value of activities across sectors.’ This work will also contribute to national science and research priorities in the health field, specifically the priority ‘Build healthy and resilient communities throughout Australia by developing … preventative strategies to improve physical and mental well-being’ (http://www.science.gov.au/scienceGov/ScienceAndResearchPriorities/Pages/Health.aspx). Nationally, this research priority aims to develop strategies for supporting wellbeing. This project contributes by identifying the role recreational fishing can play in building healthy and resilient communities through supporting physical and mental wellbeing. This research will also contribute to the overarching aims of Australia’s rural research, development and extension strategy, which include ‘develop a range of technologies and knowledge to contribute to healthy Australian lifestyles’ (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ag-food/innovation2/nsrrdip-investment-plan1.pdf) Objectives: 1. Understand whether engaging in recreational fishing (or in particular types or frequency of fishing) is associated with improved health and wellbeing for individual recreational fishers using available datasets 2. Identify best practice methods for establishing a causal relationship between (i) engaging in fishing and (ii) health and wellbeing outcomes for individual recreational fishers 3. Produce proposed set of measures and associated methodology that can be used to robustly measure causal association between engaging in fishing and health & wellbeing for individual recreational fishers and that can be used to provide valuation of these benefits for the broader economy Read moreRead less
Engagement For Success: Evaluation Of Engagement Events To Inform Industry Management Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$135,450.00
Summary
Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activitie ....Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activities and strategies undertaken by organisations and operators within fisheries and aquaculture are effective at: - building relationships and trustworthiness; - understanding concerns and needs arising from industry activity; and - influencing preferences and decisions.
Limited evaluation has been undertaken regarding the effectiveness of engagement strategies and activities in meeting predefined goals. Similarly, limited opportunities exist to transfer knowledge between industry organisations of successful and future engagement practice; or to support improved return on investment of engagement strategies. The NSW Fishing Industry has a need to improve relationships and trustworthiness with key stakeholders, and to achieve specific outcomes for PFA members, which include; improve social license by industry taking the lead on its own imagery, and an increase in the consumption and variety of NSW seafood.
In addition, there is limited feedback on whether communication strategies about to embark on will be effective at achieving the PFA’s desired outcomes, and there is information to help develop long term engagement strategies and direct limited resources to the most effective activities.
Therefore, there is a need to select a range of community engagement strategies and activities, and evaluate these against predefined goals. Engagement successes need to be extended to other industry organisations, and if appropriate, decision support materials to be developed to extend knowledge adoption of the findings and materials.
Objectives: 1. Evaluate these engagement activities and strategies against their predefined goals, applying an engagement evaluation framework developed by Clear Horizon as part of "FRDC project 2018-201" using standardised and defensible monitoring and evaluation methods. 2. Pilot and refine the evaluation framework using the above. 3. Develop materials to support other industry organisations based on the specific case studies, in selecting, designing, implementing and evaluating types of engagement activities and strategies which have been demonstrated to be highly effective at achieving specific engagement goals. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point) 4. Contribute to extension and knowledge mobilisation of these findings and materials. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point) Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of A Smart-phone Application To Collect Recreational Fishing Catch Estimates, Including An Assessment Against An Independent Probability Based Survey, Using South Australia As A Case Study
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
There is need to collect accurate and robust information on recreational fishing levels to inform fisheries management. Recreational fishing estimates are critical to ensure sustainable harvest of community owned fisheries resources. In South Australia, established Fishery Management Plans are in place and recreational catch must be monitored to ensure that the sector is operating within its allocated shares of the resource. Recent changes to the availability of traditional sampling frames and s ....There is need to collect accurate and robust information on recreational fishing levels to inform fisheries management. Recreational fishing estimates are critical to ensure sustainable harvest of community owned fisheries resources. In South Australia, established Fishery Management Plans are in place and recreational catch must be monitored to ensure that the sector is operating within its allocated shares of the resource. Recent changes to the availability of traditional sampling frames and shifts in the way the people communicate mean that it is becoming increasingly cost-prohibitive to undertake surveys using the established methodology. There is a need to re-evaluate how recreational fishing catch and effort is assessed and to develop revised survey methodologies using the latest survey tools and techniques.
Smartphone applications may provide a cost-effective method to collect information on recreational catch. However, as most apps are self-selected, sampling is non-probability based and it is not possible to calculate confidence intervals or margins of error. There is a need to compare app-based data with traditional phone-diary surveys to compare estimates and evaluate the accuracy of the results measured relative to independent population benchmarks. The outputs from this project will provide valuable information to other jurisdictions who have existing apps or are looking to implement an app.- based survey
Objectives: 1. To design and implement a survey of South Australian recreational fishers to determine participation and catch and effort levels for key species. 2. To evaluate the differences and in recreational catch estimates from smart-phone applications and traditional phone diary surveys. 3. To explore whether smart-phone applications can be feasibility integrated into future recreational fishing surveys. 4. To measure the accuracy of catch estimates from smart-phone applications relative to independent population benchmarks. 5. To outline the policy and regulatory needs and implications of implementing a smart phone based reporting app. Read moreRead less
Developing An Independent Shallow-water Survey For The Western Rock Lobster Fishery: Tracking Pre-recruitment Abundance And Habitat Change
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$445,500.00
Summary
The current method of measuring undersize lobster abundance (PRA) is based on catch data adjusted for multiple biases inherent in commercial monitoring, namely: water depth, water temperature, swell, fisher experience, pot type, escape gaps, pot pulling time, month and location. Biases are exacerbated by recent poor sample sizes, as many fishers choose not to fish in shallow-water areas. Developing a standardized, repeatable survey in shallow areas will provide an improved index of PRA that ca ....The current method of measuring undersize lobster abundance (PRA) is based on catch data adjusted for multiple biases inherent in commercial monitoring, namely: water depth, water temperature, swell, fisher experience, pot type, escape gaps, pot pulling time, month and location. Biases are exacerbated by recent poor sample sizes, as many fishers choose not to fish in shallow-water areas. Developing a standardized, repeatable survey in shallow areas will provide an improved index of PRA that can be incorporated into the stock modelling: this would improve the overall assessment. Currently fishery-independent survey data collection requires a minimum of two staff to process the catch and record information. Data entry is conducted by a third staff member. To increase cost effectiveness (for this and other lobster surveys), a more efficient data collection system is needed. Initial scoping has identified a number of possible solutions (e.g. app-based entry). This project will expand on this original scoping work to develop a solution. This will also benefit commercial lobster monitoring work conducted by DPIRD as well as a range of other surveys in similar pot based fisheries. This survey will also provide a platform for monitoring inshore WRL habitats. This will establish a baseline against which further research into the relationships between WRL and their near shore habitats can be undertaken. This will assist with detecting and quantifying habitat shifts that may impact the fishery. For example, there is anecdotal evidence that the heatwave temporarily modified some of these near shore habitats, leading to the altered relationship between puerulus and lobster recruitment. Long-term monitoring of juvenile habitats will likely provide a useful indicator of one of the factors affecting recruitment to the fishery. Objectives: 1. Produce accurate measures of pre-recruit abundance throughout the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery. Compare with commercial monitoring undersize lobster abundance and puerulus settlement data. 2. Design and construct a more efficient data recording tool to increase the accuracy and speed of data collection. 3. Develop base-line habitat descriptions at all potting locations throughout the shallow water survey. 4. Determine the relationship between sampling rate required to detect different magnitudes of marine habitat change at these survey locations Read moreRead less