2013-2014 recreational fishing survey

The year-long 2013–14 Recreational Fishing Survey details the changing face of South Australia’s recreational fishers.

The survey was conducted between December 2013 and November 2014.

The report reveals marked changes in recreational fishers’ behaviour since the last survey was conducted in 2007–08.

Results

Survey results show:

• More than 277,000 South Australians participated in recreational fishing during the survey period. This is an increase of 40,000 since the previous survey. This figure equates to more than 18% of the SA population fishing at least once a year.
• The age group with the highest participation rates is aged from 5 to 14 years old.
• The greatest increase in participation rates is among 5 to 14 year old females whose participation has almost doubled since the previous survey.
• Boat-based fishing has now surpassed shore-based fishing as the dominant fishing platform.
• 84% of fishers still use rod and line as their preferred fishing method.
• The Spencer Gulf has overtaken Gulf St Vincent as the most popular fishing location.