Research

Funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts is used to support
a large range of research projects on fish and recreational fishing.

PRIORITY AREA SNAPSHOT

1,100 HOUSEHOLDS

Participated in the statewide catch survey program

10,500 tags

Received and entered into the tagging database

22 screens

Research has led to installation of 22 screens at showcase sites protecting thousands of native fish and supplying thousands of megalitres of clean water

Recreational Fisheries Monitoring Program

The Recreational Fisheries Monitoring Program uses a telephone-diary survey to collect ongoing, accurate and up-to-date information on recreational catch, effort and participation across NSW, as well as an on-board observer and logbook program to collect this information for the recreational charter fishery. The most recent surveys of recreational fishing were completed in 2017–18 and 2019–20, providing biennial snapshots of effort, catch and participation for the households of long-term (1 and 3 year) licensed recreational fishers within NSW. This information is used in stock assessments and helps ensure sustainable fishing into the future.

Key achievements:

The successful conclusion of the 2019–20 survey period, with almost 1,100 households completing the 12-month diary survey program.
Analysis of the 2017–18 survey was finalised with information from 11,000 fishing events recorded, indicating that licensed households undertook 2.2 million days of fishing and caught 9.3 million individual organisms across 131 species.

Game Fish Tagging Program

The Game Fish Tagging Program is the largest citizen science tagging program of its kind in the world and has been in operation since 1973. It involves anglers getting vital information on the biology of fish (primarily billfish, tunas, sharks and sport fish) through tagging, while encouraging fishers to participate in the management of the fishery.

Key achievements:

more than 10,500 tags received and entered into the tagging database, with 535 reported fish recaptures (program record for a financial year)
8,810 pelagic, 7,920 billfish, and 2,980 shark tags distributed to game fishing clubs and individual anglers
continued growth in tagging participation for more readily accessible species including Mulloway and Snapper.

Research Angler Program

The Research Angler Program enables anglers, as citizen scientists, to contribute to the scientific knowledge and stock assessment of key recreational species in NSW by donating fish frames.

Key achievements:

angler participation in the program increased through the use of a variety of incentives, resulting in more than 150 anglers donating 1202 fish frames or otoliths
expansion in the number of frame collection locations through the involvement of local tackle businesses in regional areas. There are now 31 drop off locations across NSW.
continued increase in knowledge, contributing to stock assessment data for key recreational species, with many large fish providing new data.

Building a Healthy Freshwater Fishery

Building a Healthy Freshwater Fishery is a long-term program for monitoring fishery indicators, assessing management interventions and undertaking targeted research that will benefit recreational fishers by providing fishery managers with relevant and up-to-date information.

Key achievements:

development and deployment of fish counters in the Snowy Lakes trout fishery to better understand migratory spawning runs of salmonids
completion of annual stream trout fishery monitoring and production of the 2020 trout fishery report cards
development of Codcatch, a citizen science program focused on collecting recreational fishing catch and effort data for Murray Cod across the state.

Game Fish Tournament Monitoring

The Game Fish Tournament Monitoring Program has been in operation for 28 years. Ghosn Consulting Services continue to collect and analyse catch and effort information for iconic game fish species at tournaments in NSW. Over the years this data has been used to support research and fisheries management for important species such as tuna, billfish, sharks and many others.

Key achievements:

successful collection of data from 14 events during the 2020 game fishing year, representing 29 fishing days totalling 1290 boat fishing trips. Unfortunately, the year was affected by bush fires, flooding, some bad weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, with 16 events cancelled between Coffs Harbour and Eden.
a successful 2021 game fishing season, with data collected from 24 of 27 events planned for monitoring at the start of the season.
production of an annual summary of the recreational catch and catch rates for 15 key species for the game fish fishery.

Effectiveness of freshwater and marine fish stocking

Native fishes and salmonids are stocked into rivers, inland lakes and estuaries throughout NSW to increase recreational fishing opportunities. This program evaluates the success of these initiatives and aims to increase the effectiveness of future stockings.

Key achievements:

fish numbers and biomass were estimated in the Snowy Lakes Trout fisheries and all major impoundments stocked with native fishes using hydroacoustic surveys.
a range of salmonid stocking protocols were evaluated, showing higher survival rates of fish reared in optimal temperatures and fingerlings stocked at larger sizes (e.g. 12 to 18 centimetres).
40 hatchery reared Dusky Flathead were tagged with acoustic transmitters were released into Lake Macquarie. Tracking their movements will determine habitat needs and optimal release locations.
recreational fishers within the Sydney region provided researchers with genetic samples (fin clips) from their catches to help monitor growth and movement of Kingfish stocked into Botany Bay.

Fish Screens Australia

Modern fish screens protect native fish and farms. They keep fish and debris in waterways and out of water infrastructure, delivering benefits to biodiversity and businesses. The Fish Screens Australia program (formerly known as Screens for Streams) is accelerating the adoption of modern fish screen technology by water users, using showcase sites to provide real-world examples that inspire uptake. This generates win-win outcomes for the environment and local economies.

Key achievements:

the installation of 22 screens at showcase sites through partnerships with early adopters, protecting thousands of native fish and supplying thousands of megalitres of clean water to water users
major investment was secured by leveraging Recreational Fishing Trusts funding. A total of $1.8 million from partners for showcase sites led to a $26 million Commonwealth investment assigned to screening under the Northern Basin Toolkit.
the launch of a new stakeholder information website www.fishscreens.org.au in partnership with OzFish, and engagement with anglers and water users via Water NSW Customer Advisory Groups, OzFish “Talking Fish” series and other events
the development of specifications, using DPI research, to help manufacturers build screens that work. This means native fish stay in the river to boost populations and improve recreational fishing.

Monitoring and research on landed fish at game fishing tournaments

Undertaken by Pepperell Research & Consulting Pty Ltd, this project facilitates and conducts monitoring, sampling and biological research on billfish, tuna, sharks and other gamefish captured and weighed at the major game fishing tournaments in NSW.

Key achievements:

the attendance by Pepperell Research staff at a record 13 tournaments from Port Stephens to Jervis Bay
a total of 100 landed fish were measured, examined and sampled, including 41 sharks, 29 tuna, 20 billfish and 10 other gamefish
the use of organs, tissues and parasites sampled at these tournaments for research conducted by scientists and students from Macquarie, Charles Sturt and Sunshine Coast Universities.

2020-21 Annual Report

Income and expenditure from the Trusts are subject to an annual audit and regular announcements are made about licence fee expenditure. DPI also carries out periodic surveys of recreational fishing licence holders to ensure that the broad funding priorities are in line with angler expectations.

Download the 2020-21 Annual Report

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