What is this study about and who is doing it?

Recreational fishing is an important activity for many Australians. Many fish once or twice a year, others fish most weeks. To understand the value of recreational fishing, it is important to identify the different social and economic aspects of fishing, including how much spending is generated in different regions by recreational fishing activities, right through to how participating in recreational fishing influences the health and wellbeing of fishers.

This survey is part of a large study being conducted by researchers from the University of Canberra, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and EconSearch (a division of BDO Advisory), who are assessing the social and economic contributions of recreational fishing across Australia, and developing methods that can be used for future assessments.

Why was I asked to take part and how were my contact details obtained?

Recreational fishers across Australia were asked to take part in a national online survey. They may have found out about the survey via an email or newsletter sent by a recreational fishing organisation, or seeing a post about it on Facebook, Instagram or twitter.

What will I be asked to do?

Participants were asked to complete a 20-30 minute survey. By completing the survey questions participants are consenting to contributing to the survey.

What will happen after the data is collected and will my data be used in future studies?

Data from the survey will be analysed to help identify the social and economic contributions of recreational fishing in Australia, and to recommend robust methods for ongoing monitoring of these contributions. Your data will be stored at the University of Canberra, and may be used in future studies in which monitoring of social and economic contributions is done over time. Reports will be produced from the study, and you can access these if you wish to (either by indicating you wish to on the survey form, or emailing us at recreationalfishing@canberra.edu.au and asking to be included on our mailing list). Your contact details will not be passed to any other organisations other than those involved in this study without your permission. The data you provide may be provided in de-identified form to other researchers (this means you will not be identifiable in the dataset provided, ensuring your privacy and confidentiality are protected).

Will I be identified in published reports from this study?

No. Your name will not be included in reports, and neither will any information that may identify you.

Will I be asked to do anything further after this survey?

At the end of our survey participants were be asked if they were willing to participate in future surveys. This is not compulsory.

What if I have Ethical Concerns?

This project has been approved by the University of Canberra Human Research Ethics Committee (Project Number 0913). Any ethical concerns you have may be raised with the researchers (contacts details provided below), or directed to the University of Canberra Human Research Ethics Committee (email humanethicscommittee@canberra.edu.au).

The study is funded by the Australian government and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.