Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009
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Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009 Paul Brown April 2010 Fisheries Victoria Research Report Series No. 42 Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009 If you would like to receive this Author Contact Details: Paul Brown information/publication in an Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria accessible format (such as large Private Bag 20, Alexandra, VIC 3714 print or audio) please call the Authorised by the Victorian Government, Customer Service Centre on: 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 136 186, TTY: 1800 122 969, Printed by DPI Queenscliff, Victoria or email Published by the Department of Primary [email protected] Industries. © The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Copies are available from the website: Industries, 2010. www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing This publication is copyright. No part may be General disclaimer reproduced by any process except in accordance This publication may be of assistance to you but with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of Preferred way to cite this publication: any kind or is wholly appropriate for your Brown, P. (2010) Goulburn River Trout Fishery: particular purposes and therefore disclaims all Angler Survey 2008‐2009. Fisheries Victoria liability for any error, loss or other consequence Research Report Series No. 42. which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. ISSN 1448‐7373 ISBN 978‐1‐74264‐112‐6 (print) 978‐1‐74264‐113‐3 (online) Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009 ii Executive Summary The condition of the trout fishery along the bunch when it comes to their attitudes and Goulburn River between Eildon and Alexandra motivators. While some are concerned with safe (including the lower reaches of the Rubicon vehicle parking and easy bank‐access, others River) was evaluated using a roving on‐site creel have expectations of aesthetic beauty and survey to sample anglers’ catch‐rates randomly, solitude. The more avid, specialist anglers are and record fishing‐effort. A random sub‐sample more strongly motivated by prospects of of these anglers was also questioned further to catching fish of their preferred species survey their behaviours, attitudes and opinions. (predominantly brown trout), and less inspired Information was collected about their awareness by prospects of increasing popularity of their of a river health and angler‐access enhancement fishery. program run by the Goulburn Broken While reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) often included catching or not catching fish, and a fishery development and promotion anglers often blamed themselves, their program called Go Fishing in Victoria (GFIV) run inexperience, the weather, the water‐conditions, by Fisheries Victoria. etc., before they identified “too few fish in the The fishery resource is under a similar level of river” as an explanation for dissatisfaction. Even exploitation (angler effort) compared to five when they perceived a lack of fish as the years previously and this may be interpreted as problem, factors perceived as interfering with a similar number of anglers participating in the their expectations included overcrowding with fishery. “too many anglers” and overfishing as explanations. Harvest estimates for rainbow trout have declined significantly from five years ago. Catch Anglers preferred particular access‐points for a and harvest estimates for brown trout and range of reasons. Key drivers for site selection rainbow trout from comparable sites along the were: whether the features of the river (at that Goulburn River are slightly lower although point) suited their preferred methods; the statistically similar to five years ago. Catches of aesthetics or natural beauty of the surroundings; brown and rainbow trout from the lower and ease of access to the river (including Rubicon are very similar to previous estimates parking). We speculate that the significant made six and seven years previously. Release increase in popularity of fly‐fishing may be due rates for trout remain high particularly for to the uncharacteristic low river levels and the brown trout. Brown and rainbow trout impact of river management practices in recent harvested and measured at interview are years. Consistent low flows have made more significantly larger than in either previous sites suitable for wade‐based fishing for more of Goulburn creel survey. the time. In‐stream and riparian management may have enabled or simplified fly‐fishing There was some evidence that angler‐ access where previously bait or lure casting satisfaction levels reported in the present study would have been more suitable at many sites. may be higher than in previous creel surveys on the Goulburn or the Rubicon River although Knowledge of GB CMA’s river health and access this may be influenced by slight methodological enhancements program was similar to the differences between surveys that may be critical highest levels of awareness about similar in determining the actual satisfaction levels over activities in other Victorian catchments. Over each fishing season. Even so, the present study half the anglers responded that they had learned identifies a new benchmark in angler‐ about the GB CMA work through observing it satisfaction that can be used comparatively over themselves. However, less than 1‐in‐4 were the life of the Go Fishing in Victoria promotion. aware of changes at the site where they were being interviewed. Anglers who fished the mid‐Goulburn River trout fishery mainly did so because they enjoyed Knowledge of Fisheries Victoria’s Go Fishing in relaxing, catching fish and being outdoors. The Victoria promotion was relatively poor and study showed that anglers along the Goulburn many were unable to demonstrate the River, like anglers everywhere, are a diverse awareness they claimed, or confused the Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009 iii program with other management activities or water frontages, by providing educational with the GB CMA program. The relatively low material about popular activities in a package awareness level should be expected as the study that is targeted towards the recreational angler. was prior to the launch of the ‘Premier Rivers’ The traditionally funded activities of stocking, promotion of the Goulburn River, and river restoration and angler‐access considering the longer time span that anglers enhancements were the most popular themes have been exposed to the GB CMA initiative. that anglers suggested for future investment This study forms a benchmark for future from the recreation fishing grants program. evaluation of the GFIV promotional program of Some non‐traditional areas for investment such the Goulburn as a ‘Premier River’ that as ‘litter‐management’ and ‘freehold riparian commences in 2010. lands buy‐back scheme’ were also proposed. Awareness of the concepts of ‘Crown Land’ and These new proposals for investment would link ‘freehold land’ was high, although many were well with non‐consumptive factors (i.e. not to do unsure about what activities were allowed on with catching fish), such as increasing aesthetic Crown Land. The present study has identified beauty and prevention of overcrowding, that are an opportunity to reduce uncertainty and influencing angler satisfaction and site‐choice increase awareness of people’s rights and along the Goulburn River. responsibilities for recreation on Crown Land Goulburn River Trout Fishery: Angler Survey 2008‐2009 iv Table of Contents Executive Summary............................................................................................. iii Introduction............................................................................................................ 1 Project Design and Methods ............................................................................... 2 Creel survey design ...................................................................................................................................................2 Angler interviews ......................................................................................................................................................2 Detailed attitudinal survey....................................................................................................................................3 Creel calculation methods for catch and effort ....................................................................................................4 Statistical analysis ...................................................................................................................................................4 Results...................................................................................................................... 6 The fishery ..................................................................................................................................................................6 Fish Size....................................................................................................................................................................6 Catch and Effort ......................................................................................................................................................6 Release‐rate and Reason for Release ....................................................................................................................7