FISHERMEN returning to shore at Raby Bay, Victoria Point and Wellington Point boat ramps will be surveyed on catch size and variety and fishing effort.
It’s part of state government efforts to better understand the recreational pressure on fisheries.
Boat ramp surveys are being conducted at 45 locations from Weipa to the Gold Coast.
Capalaba MP Don Brown said each survey added to the understanding of fish stocks, the species being caught and local fishing effort.
“This data collection program is critical to understand the sustainability of Queensland’s fish stocks and protect the thousands of regional jobs that rely on fisheries resources,’’ he said.
Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said most recreational fishers were happy to contribute to the voluntary monitoring program and no personal identification information was collected.
“The survey is about where fishers have been during their trip, how long they were fishing for, which species they were targeting and which they kept and released,” he said.
“The data from the surveys will also help us understand the benefits of the net free zones in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton that were established by the Government in 2015.
“A report on the first 18 months’ results from the boat ramp surveys will be available later this year.
“...We expect it will take a few years to see clear trends, as the areas have only been closed to netting for just over a year and there are natural variations due to seasons and weather that needs to be taken into account, but the feedback is positive so far.”
To date, more than 14,000 boat crews have been interviewed across the state with 75 per cent undertaking recreational fishing and with an average fishing trip lasting 4.7 hours.
Surveys are conducted weekdays and weekends.