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Video Transcript - Rec Fishers Survey

VOICEOVER:
Fishing – it’s a popular pastime in South Australia. And each year more than 300 thousand of us take up a line.

To make sure we have fish for the future, it’s important we know where people fish; how often they fish; what they catch; and how they catch it.

To add to our knowledge of the fishing resource, PIRSA Fisheries is undertaking the largest survey ever undertaken of recreational fishers in this State.

It all started in August 2007.The survey aims to provide us with a better understanding of changes in fish populations and recreational fishing activities.

It will collect up to date information on catches, fishing activity and catch rates for popular fish caught throughout metro and regional areas. And it will include everything from lines to diving, pots and nets.

WILL ZACHARIN, DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES:
It’s very important for us to get a handle on recreational fishing effort, understand what recreational anglers are taking around the State, what sort of fish they’re targeting and how much they’re removing from the population, so we can have sustainable management of our fish resources.

VOICEOVER:
Survey teams are out and about on boat ramps, jetties and beaches talking to rec fishers. Another seven thousand five hundred randomly selected households will take part in phone surveys

About 1,000 people are also filling in diaries to keep a detailed record of their activities.

There’s a special emphasis on the key managed species such as King George Whiting, snapper, rock lobster, blue crabs, mulloway and Murray cod.

WILL ZACHARIN, DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES:
Well fishers are being asked in relation to, how much fish do they take when they go out fishing, do they get to the bag limit, what are the sizes of some of the fish that they take, where do they fish, how often do they fish, and all those sorts of information that allows us to build up a picture of the recreational fishing effort of an average angler.

VOICEOVER:
The survey will wind up in October this year, with the report available early in the New Year.

And the results will be used to ensure there continues to be good fishing for current and future generations.

WILL ZACHARIN, DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES:
It’s… I think it’s important that we have sustainable fisheries, all anglers want to see that, they want to know that there’s fish there for the future, for their children. So if we don’t have a good picture of the impact that recreational anglers can have on stocks, it may lead to over fishing situations

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