Key developments in the Tasmanian recreational fishery: teasing out the impacts of the major drivers for change

Recreational fishing is a popular pastime among Tasmanians, with a participation rate that is well above the national average. Since the late 1990s there have, however, been a number of significant changes in the fishery, these changes relate to rates of participation, the types of fishing activities and practices pursued, and species targeted. A combination of factors have contributed to these developments, they include: changes in the demographic profile of the Tasmanian population; responses to management intervention; developments in the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors; changes in the abundance and availability of target species, including the influence of climate change; and changing preferences and attitudes of the fishers themselves. In this paper we examine several of these key drivers and, based on a synthesis of recreational survey data collected over the past two decades, evaluate how they have contributed to shaping some of the major developments in the fishery. Not only will this provide a valuable retrospective it will also assist in better understanding the responses and aspirations of the recreational sector into the future.