The Federal Government wants to know how much impact the game fishing industry is having on the NSW far south coast town of Bermagui.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) will next week survey anglers during the Blue Water Classic game fishing tournament that runs from January 21-24. The survey is part of a social and economic study of gamefishing in eastern Australia.
ABARES acting Deputy Executive Director Terry Sheales, says that information on gamefishing is required to understand its importance to the broader community.
Information gathered by this study will lead to better decisions on data collection, research, consultation and manegement,” Dr Sheales said.
“Bermagui represents a cross section of game fishing activities, ranging from charter boats to organised tournaments and to gamefishers that just want to enjoy the excitement of encountering big fish like tuna and marlin.”
The results of the study, funded by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) – and supported by the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA) – will be available in late 2011.
