How Queensland anglers are taking the pressure off snapper and pearl perch

Recreational anglers and charter boat operators are to be consulted in a survey aimed at increasing fish stocks in Queensland, Australia.

The survey is the second phase of the Fishing For Change project, which is encouraging anglers to fish for and catch six other species to help divert pressure away from snapper and pearl perch.

It is being managed by the Griffith Business School in Queensland, which has campuses at the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. The project is supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.

In the first phase, researchers asked stakeholders including anglers, tackle retailers, scientists and other fishing industry representatives what fishers and interested parties could do the help increase pearl perch and snapper stocks. “Some of the short-term ideas included education around handling fish properly, especially when removing hooks and abiding by bag and size limits,” said research fellow, Carina Roemer (pictured).

“Longer term initiatives included the introduction of recreational fishing licences to capture data and fund further research for all Queensland fisheries, the timings for seasonal closures instead of closing snapper and pearl perch over one period, rolling closures up the coast so that northern water closures come in later to align with fish movements, currents and water temps and extra policing and inspections.

“A key idea that has since received wide stakeholder support is to promote alternate species of fish to encourage recreational fishing change.”

Now the project team is hoping to learn even more from Queensland anglers to encourage other anglers to target different species. The survey is open until November 8th and is available at here.