Damon Mcknight
Fishing is one of Australia's most popular pastimes, with an estimated 4.2 million Australians fishing recreationally, contributing around $11 billion to the economy each year. The country's enormous fishing zone is the world's third-largest, covering 8,148,250 square kilometres and home to over 5,500 known species of fish. Australia's fishing industry is important to the national economy, both directly and through support industries such as seafood supply and tourism. Recreational fishing is also popular, with options for saltwater, freshwater, and beach fishing, and an abundance of unique fish species to catch, including barramundi, queenfish, and trout.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Australians who fish recreationally | 4.2 million |
| Recreational fishing industry's worth | $11 billion per year |
| Number of adults who fished in Australia in 2023, by age group | 84,000 people aged 65 and above |
| Australia's rank in the world by fishing zone size | 3rd |
| Size of fishing zone | 8,148,250 square kilometres |
| Number of known species of fish in Australia | 5500 |
| Examples of popular fish species | Saratoga, Queenfish, Salmon, Snapper, Trevally, Catfish, Trout, Murray Cod |
| Examples of popular fishing locations | Queensland, Perth |
| Nominal value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture production in 2023-24 | $3.56 billion |
| Real value of fisheries and aquaculture production in 2024-25 to 2028-29 | $3.48 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Fishing is one of Australia's most popular pastimes
Freshwater fishing is popular in inland lakes, rivers, and streams, while saltwater sport fishing and beach fishing are also common. Australia's vast size and varied geography mean that there is always somewhere to cast a line, with no "off" season for fishing. From the highland lakes of Tasmania, renowned for fly-fishing, to the coastal waters of Queensland and Perth, each region offers unique fishing experiences.
The Great Barrier Reef, for example, spans 300,000 square kilometres of pristine waters and is home to countless fish species. Charter boats take anglers to remote locations for an unforgettable fishing adventure. Arnhem Land combines fishing with a cultural journey into Aboriginal Australia, and heli-fishing in Western Australia's Kimberley region offers breathtaking views and access to barramundi, mangrove jack, and archer fish, among others.
Fishing is not just a pastime in Australia; it's also an important economic activity. The recreational fishing industry contributes approximately $11 billion annually to the economy, while commercial fishing employs many and generates valuable export revenue. However, the popularity of fishing has raised concerns about sustainability and fisheries management. To ensure the future of this beloved pastime, anglers and authorities must work together to protect fish populations and habitats.
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Australia has the world's third-largest fishing zone
Australia is a large country surrounded by water, which makes it a popular destination for fishing. More than 3.5 million anglers enjoy fishing for sport and recreation in Australia each year. The country's enormous fishing zone, which is the third-largest in the world, spans 8,148,250 square kilometres and is home to over 5,500 known species of fish.
Australia's fishing zone, also known as an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), extends 200 nautical miles from its coastline and external territories. This zone was declared on 1 August 1994 and exceeds the country's land territory. Within this EEZ, free use of marine resources is permitted. Australia's EEZ is only surpassed by those of France and the United States.
The popularity of recreational fishing in Australia contributes significantly to the country's economy. The health of both the commercial and recreational fishing industries relies on the sustainable management of fisheries resources. This includes maintaining the health of fish habitats and freshwater and marine environments. The sustainable seafood movement is gaining traction in Australia, with organisations like the Marine Stewardship Council and the Australian Marine Conservation Society providing guides for consumers to make environmentally conscious seafood choices.
Fishing in Australia offers a diverse range of experiences. From saltwater sport fishing and freshwater fishing to beach fishing, there is something for everyone. The country's size and variety of territories provide numerous destinations to cast a line. Arnhem Land, for example, combines fishing with a cultural journey into Aboriginal Australia. The Kimberley region in Western Australia offers heli-fishing adventures, providing access to remote fishing spots and breathtaking views. Tasmania, renowned for its fly-fishing excellence, hosted the 2019 World Fly Fishing Championships.
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Recreational fishing contributes to the economy
Recreational fishing is a popular pastime in Australia, with over 3.5 million people participating each year. The country's fishing zone is the world's third-largest, covering 8,148,250 square kilometres and home to over 5,500 known species of fish. This vast fishing zone, along with the popularity of recreational fishing, contributes significantly to the Australian economy.
A 2001 study estimated that expenditure on recreational fishing services and items totalled $1.85 billion over the survey period. However, since then, the number of recreational fishers and the industry's overall economic impact have grown. A more recent survey, conducted jointly by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the University of Canberra, and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARRF), found that recreational fishing contributes $11 billion annually to the Australian economy and supports 100,000 jobs.
The economic impact of recreational fishing extends beyond direct expenditure. It also positively impacts support industries such as seafood supply, tourism, and exports. Additionally, recreational fishing improves the wellbeing of participants and fosters social connections, nature connection, and environmental stewardship. The health of the recreational fishing industry relies on the sustainable management of fisheries resources, fish habitats, and freshwater and marine environments.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of the recreational fishing industry to the economy and has initiatives in place to support its long-term sustainability. For example, the National Fisheries Plan helps to steward the industry, ensuring its continued contribution to the economy. The government also funds surveys, such as the National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers, to better understand the industry's social and economic contributions and identify ways to assess and enhance these contributions.
In conclusion, recreational fishing is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue, supporting numerous jobs, and providing flow-on effects to other industries. With its vast fishing zone and popularity among Australians, recreational fishing will likely continue to be an essential economic driver for the country.
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Commercial fishing in Australia
Commercial fishing involves catching fish in the ocean, lakes, or rivers for profit. In Australia, commercial fishing is managed in Commonwealth waters by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). AFMA uses fishing quotas as a tool to manage fisheries and safeguard marine biodiversity. These quotas provide economic security to fishers while helping maintain sustainable fishing practices.
The health of the commercial fishing industry in Australia depends on the well-being of fish habitats and the country's freshwater and marine environments. Australia's fishing zone is the world's third-largest, covering 8,148,250 square kilometres and home to over 5,500 known species of fish. The wild-catch sector, targeting various species groups, accounts for the majority of the gross value of production (GVP) in the country's commercial fishery and aquaculture industry.
Key landing ports for commercial fishing in Australia include Lakes Entrance (Victoria), Geraldton (Western Australia), and Mooloolaba (Queensland). In 2016-17, just three species groups (salmonids, rock lobster, and prawns) made up around 60% of the GVP of Australian fisheries and aquaculture. The value of aquaculture production in Australia has been increasing, with a 27% rise in real terms between 2000-01 and 2016-17. This increase is largely due to the growth in Tasmanian salmonid production, which has offset declines in the value of aquaculture tuna and pearl oysters.
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Aboriginal history of fishing
Fishing has been an important aspect of traditional hunting by Indigenous Australians for centuries. Aboriginal communities have handed down cultural fishing practices for thousands of years, and fishing forms a deep cultural and spiritual connection that many communities have with their waters and marine resources.
In the past, Aboriginal people used a variety of fishing methods, including spearing fish in shallow waters, using scoop nets, and paddling canoes out to deep waters to fish with a line and hook. They also used stone fish traps, positioned within the inter-tidal zone, which formed a V-shape and caught fish as the tide receded. Bark canoes were used for fishing by many Indigenous groups, with women making their own handlines and nets, paddling out to sea, and cooking their catch on the canoe. They also used toxins and poisons to catch, stun, or kill fish in situ. Hooks were made from abalone or oyster shells, and fishing lines were made from tree bark, chewed or mashed up before being finely rolled into long lines.
In addition to fishing in saltwater, Aboriginal people also fish in freshwater streams, where they can find fish, turtles, eels, freshwater crocodiles, and a range of freshwater prawns and crayfish. In the past, whales and dugong (sea cows) were also eaten. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people primarily take dinghies out to fish, and use nets, spears, and fishing lines with metal hooks.
In recent years, most states have recognised Aboriginal rights to fish in some way. This includes introducing customary fishing permits, recognising Aboriginal customary fishing as its own sector with its own regulations, and mostly exempting Aboriginal people fishing on their traditional lands and waters from fisheries regulations. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been marginalised from both commercial and non-commercial fisheries and are often denied access to their traditional waters. Despite this, they are taking steps to ensure their voices and values are heard in fisheries management planning, negotiating catch allowances and controlled access to their waters and marine resources.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 4.2 million Australians fish recreationally.
Fishing is one of the nation's most popular pastimes. Recreational angling is one of Australia's largest outdoor activities. More than 3.5 million keen anglers enjoy fishing for sport and recreation.
The recreational fishing industry accounts for around $11 billion a year. Commercial fishing is also a significant industry in Australia, employing thousands of people and contributing valuable export dollars.
Australia boasts a large number of fishing spots, including saltwater, freshwater, and beach fishing locations. Some popular spots include the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Perth, Tasmania, and the Kimberley region in Western Australia.
Australia is home to more than 5,500 known species of fish. Some popular species to catch include barramundi, queenfish, salmon, snapper, trevally, trout, and catfish.
