Recreational Fishing Survey Report June 2019

A: PO Box 502, Hamilton Vic 3300 T: 03 5571 2526 F: 03 5571 2935 E: [email protected] W: www.ghcma.vic.gov.au ABN: 55 218 240 014

Document review and authorisation

File number: 1493

Document Final/ Draft Date Author Review Release Issued to Version approved by

1.0 Draft 28/06/19 T. Wallis C. Solum A. Bester M. Burgess

A. Bester VRFish

Cover photo by Vin Gannon

2 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 1. Recreational fishing results

This report summarises results of a recent state-wide recreational fishing survey – as it applies to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA region.

Consulting firm Marsden Jacob, in cooperation with VR Fish and the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, designed and developed a state-wide recreational fishing survey. The objectives of the survey were to capture: 1. Visitors –the unique number of people going to site in a year 2. Visits – how many times any person visits in a year (the number of trips) 3. Trips days – the total number of full days spent recreational fishing, by the population, in a year 4. Expenditure – the total amount of spending by visitors 5. Consumer surplus (50% apportionment to recreational fishing) – the difference between what recreational fishers are willing to pay and what they actually pay, the net benefit to the fisher. 6. Travel costs – the total amount spent travelling to the preferred fishing location, multiplied by the number of trips taken in a year.

*Nb. not all people who fish go for this as the main reason. Applied apportionment as 100% if main reason to go fishing and 50% if fishing and another activity (3) 0% if activity was incidental

Other results In addition, to the numbers of visits, the survey also captured: • Angler’s motivations to go fishing • Angler’s preferred river basins for fishing • Where they mainly go fishing within those basins • What they like about their favourite location • The species they most prefer to catch • The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations.

Survey format The survey was delivered online by invitation using the VRFish recreational fishing licence database, where emails were provided. The VRFish database will capture anyone who holds a past or current Victorian recreational fishing licence and has opted to sign up for VRFish emails. The database has approximately 50,000 people, and the Victorian recreational fishing population is estimated at approximately 838,000. The initial survey invitation was sent to 3,000 randomly selected email addresses, and 497 responses were received in total. The initial survey invitation and reminder are detailed in Appendix 1 and the full survey in Appendix 2. The survey was open from 09 January 2019 at 3pm to 23 January 2019 at 12pm.

Overall state-wide results The results of the survey are summarised in this section. Of the 497 people who entered the survey (from the 3,000 invited), all who entered answered compulsory screening questions around their gender, age, location, motivation for fishing, whether they were an inland or coastal fisher and where they preferred to fish. 151 were screened out of the survey, and therefore didn’t complete past the compulsory questions. The main reasons for screening out was if they didn’t fish at any locations of interest (as shown seen on the map (refer Figure 1-1 below)), or if they were not an inland recreational fisher. The remaining 346 respondents completed the survey. Of the 497 survey respondents, 75% indicated that they were an inland recreational fisher who fished in freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs or estuaries. The remaining 25% are considered coastal fishers. 3 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 The key assumptions made in the calculations are specified in Table 1 below.

Table 1-1 Assumptions1

Assumptions Value Consumer Surplus per day (8 hours) $20.00 Cost per Km travel $0.68 Victorian recreational fishing population 838,000 Total expenditure (per day) $18.68 Total expenditure (overnight) $35.35 Sample size 496 Confidence interval range +/-5%

Overall where people fish The map image (Figure 1-1) below illustrates where people are fishing, and the popularity of the destination. These are not unique visitors, they are visitors unique to a location. Someone who has fished in the Goulburn River and East Gippsland, will appear in both counts. Goulburn is by far the most popular place to fish with 29% of respondents saying they fished there in the last 12 months. The Murray River (15%), East Gippsland (13%) and South Gippsland (13%) were also relatively popular destinations.

View of the Glenelg River

1 Water for Victoria Investment Benefits, Mardens Jacobs 2019 4 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019

3% 6% 15% 1% 6% 7% 29% 4% 11% 5% 8% 5% 6% 13% 10% 7%

8% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 10% 7% 13%

Figure 1-1 Map of fishing locations (% of respondents who said they fished at that location in the last 12 months)

As demonstrated in Figure 1-2 below, most respondents indicated they fish as a form of relaxation, to be outdoors and to be with friends and family. Very few were motivated by sourcing food and for competition or sport.

To relax

To be outdoors

For food

To be with friends and family

For Competition and Sport

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Not important at all Somewhat unimportant Not sure or indifferent Somewhat important Very important

Figure 1-2 Motivations for fishing

5 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 2. Regional results – a catchment in focus

The results below, supplemented by face to interviews with specific anglers reveal preferences for the waterways for the three major basins of the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, the Glenelg Basin (including the Glenelg estuary), the Hopkins Basin and the Portland Coast. – refer Figure 2-1 below.

These results capture both the economic contribution that angling visits contribute to the local economy, which is not insignificant (in the order of half a million dollars annually), as well as other data on: • Angler’s motivations to go fishing • Angler’s preferred river basins for fishing • Where they mainly go fishing within those basins • What they like about their favourite location • The species they most prefer to catch • The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations.

Importantly, these results highlight the importance anglers in this region place on habitat restoration, improved fish passage, the improvement in flows, management of pest species such as carp and river bank weeds (e.g. blackberries). These areas received responses similar in number to traditional areas of focus for anglers such as improved stocking and access.

Figure 2-1 River Basins in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA region.

6 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 3. Glenelg Basin

Fishing on the Glenelg River

7 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Table 3-1 Visitor estimates for Glenelg

Location Survey sample Population Total Number of visits 112 8,487 Number of visit days 233 14,106 Number of unique visitors 39 2,771 Glenelg River Number of visits 112 4,368 Number of visit days 233 9,077 Number of unique visitors 39 1,521 Glenelg Reservoirs and lakes Number of visits 49 833 Number of visit days 87 1,479 Number of unique visitors 17 289 Glenelg Estuary Number of visits 106 3,286 Number of visit days 115 3,550 Number of unique visitors 31 961

Table 3-2 Expenditure Estimates Glenelg

Expenditure Estimates Sample Population Expenditure estimates Glenelg River Basin Total expenditure day trips $258 $10,055 Total expenditure overnight trips $7,742 $301,924 Total expenditure $7,999 $311,979

Total Expenditure estimates Reservoirs and lakes Total Expenditure day trips $19 $319 Total Expenditure overnight trips $3,040 $51,682 Total expenditure $3,059 $52,000

Total Expenditure estimates Glenelg Estuary

Total Expenditure day trips $121 $12,871 Total Expenditure overnight trips $3,818 $118,352 Total expenditure $3,939 $131,222 Total for Glenelg $14,998 $495,202

Confidence range $473,510 $516,890

8 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Table 3-3 Economic contribution estimates Glenelg

Output Employment Value Add Initial Type 2A (Total) Initial Type 2A (Total) Initial Type 2A (Total) Effects Multipliers Effects Multipliers Effects Multipliers 1.000 1.439 7.984 1.265 0.527 1.431 $500,000 $719,744 $4 $5 $263,741 $377,470

Table 3-4 Travel Cost Estimates Glenelg

Travel Costs Sample Population Average distance travelled 236.87 236.87 Average travel cost per visit 161.07 161.07 Total travel cost Glenelg $7,071 $275,754

Table 3-5 Consumer Surplus Estimates Glenelg

Consumer Surplus Estimates Sample Population Glenelg River Basin $13,215 $515,385 Glenelg Reservoirs and lakes $4,500 $76,500 Glenelg Estuary $2,270 $70,370 Total Glenelg $662,255 Confidence range $639,680 $684,830

Table 3-6 Angler’s preferred areas they like to go fishing Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Reach 0 Moora Moora to Rocklands 11 33.33 Reservoir Reach 1a Rocklands Reservoir to 5-Mile 7 21.21 Outlet Reach 1b 5 Mile Outlet to Chetwynd River 2 6.06 Reach 2 Chetwynd River to Wannon River 1 3.03 Reach 3 Wannon River to estuary 23 69.70 Total 33

9 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Glenelg Basin as a whole

Figure 3-1 Angler’s motivations to go fishing in the Glenelg River

Table 3-7 What they like about their favourite location Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Somewhere I know well 12 36.36 Easy to get to 7 21.21 Access to town services and facilities 3 9.09 Good chance of catching my preferred type of fish 12 36.36 It has good bank fishing access 7 21.21 It has good boat fishing access 14 42.42 Not many other people fish there 4 12.12 I like the scenery/landscape 16 48.48 It is close to where I live 4 12.12 It is where my fishing group/friends prefer to go 3 9.09 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 2 6.06 Total 33

10 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Table 3-8 The species they like to catch Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Murray cod 9 27.27 Golden perch 11 33.33 River blackfish 4 12.12 Australian bass 3 9.09 Estuary perch 14 42.42 Brown trout 6 18.18 Rainbow trout 7 21.21 Redfin 13 39.39 Carp 0 0.00 Eels 2 6.06 Tupong 1 3.03 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 12 36.36 Total 33

Table 3-9 The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Improved access for land-based fishing e.g. trails, fences etc 11 33.33 Improved boat access e.g. boat ramps 14 42.42 More bank-side native vegetation 2 6.06 Removal of undesirable bank-side vegetation e.g. blackberries 9 27.27 More woody habitat for fish 6 18.18 Other in-water improvements e.g. installing boulders or removal excess 0 0.00 siltation Improved water flows and levels that benefit fish 14 42.42 Improved passage for fish to move up and down stream e.g. past weirs 2 6.06 and other obstacles Stock more fish 15 45.45 Removal of pest fish like carp 15 45.45 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 3 9.09 Total Respondents 33

11 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Glenelg Estuary as a subset

The Glenelg Estuary

Figure 3-2 Angler’s motivations to go fishing in the Glenelg estuary

Table 3-10 What they like about their favourite location 12 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Somewhere I know well 14 45.16 Easy to get to 7 22.58 Access to town services and facilities 10 32.26 Good chance of catching my preferred type of fish 17 54.84 It has good bank fishing access 11 35.48 It has good boat fishing access 13 41.94 Not many other people fish there 1 3.23 I like the scenery/landscape 13 41.94 It is close to where I live 3 9.68 It is where my fishing group/friends prefer to go 4 12.90 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 1 3.23 Total Respondents 31

Table 3-11 The species they like to catch Primary reason for your visits Reponses %

Bream 28 90.32 Australian bass 0 0.0 Estuary perch 17 54.84 Australian salmon 3 9.68 Mullet 8 25.81 Brown trout 5 16.13 Rainbow trout 4 12.90 Snapper 1 3.23 Trevally 1 3.23 Mulloway 18 58.06 Eels 1 3.23 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 1 3.23 Total Respondents 31

13 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Table 3-12 The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations Primary reason for your visits Responses % Improved access for land-based fishing e.g. trails, fences etc 11 35.48 Improved boat access e.g. boat ramps 12 38.71 More bank-side native vegetation 2 6.45 Removal of undesirable bank-side vegetation e.g. blackberries 10 32.26 More woody habitat for fish 3 9.68 Other in-water improvements e.g. installing boulders or removal 2 6.45 excess siltation Improved water flows and levels that benefit fish 15 48.39 Improved passage for fish to move up and down stream e.g. past 1 3.23 weirs and other obstacles Stock more fish 4 12.90 Removal of pest fish like carp 9 29.03 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 3 9.68 Total Respondents 31

14 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 1. Portland River Basin

Estuary Perch in the Fitzroy River

Table 4-1 Visitor estimates for the Portland Basin

Visit Estimates Sample Population Portland Number of visits 73 2117 Number of visit days 174 5039 Number of unique visitors 29 841

Table 4-2 Expenditure Estimates Portland

Expenditure Estimates Sample Population Total expenditure day trips $75 $2,167 Total expenditure overnight trips $4,914 $142,496 Total expenditure $4,988 $144,663

Confidence range $138,327 $150,999

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Table 4-3 Economic contribution estimates Portland

Table 4-4 Travel Cost Estimates Portland

Average distance travelled 291.33 291.33 Average travel cost per visit 198.10 198.10 Total travel cost Portland $4,160 $162,247

Table 4-5 Consumer Surplus Estimates Portland

Consumer Surplus Estimates Sample Population Portland $1,710 $49,590 Total Portland $49,590 Confidence range $47,418 $51,762

Table 4-6 Angler’s preferred areas they like to go fishing Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Aringa Reservoir 1 4.76 Arrondoovong Creek 0 0.00 Branxholme Reservoir 0 0.00 Bridgewater Lakes 2 9.52 Camp Creek 1 4.76 Lake Condah 0 0.00 Darlot Creek 1 4.76 Eumeralla River 2 9.52 Fitzroy River 5 23.81 Moyne River 10 47.62 Shaw River 2 9.52 Total 21

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Figure 4-1 Angler’s motivations to go fishing in the waterways of the Portland Basin

Table 4-7 The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Somewhere I know well 10 47.62 Easy to get to 11 52.38 There is access to town services and facilities 7 33.33 I have a good chance of catching my preferred type of fish 6 28.57 It has good bank fishing access 8 38.10 It has good boat fishing access 7 33.33 Not many others fish there 1 4.76 I like the scenery/landscape 5 23.81 It is close to where I live 0 0.00 It is where my fishing group/friends prefer to go 3 14.29 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 0 0.00 Total Respondents 21

17 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 Table 4-8 The species they like to catch Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Murray cod 3 14.29 Golden perch 2 9.52 River blackfish 1 4.76 Bream 14 66.67 Australian bass 2 9.52 Estuary perch 3 14.29 Australian salmon 7 33.33 Mullet 5 23.81 Brown trout 5 23.81 Rainbow trout 3 14.29 Snapper 4 19.05 Trevally 3 14.29 Mulloway 4 19.05 Eels 1 4.76 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 1 4.76 Total 21

Table 4-9 The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations Primary reason for your visits Responses % Improved access for land-based fishing e.g. trails, fences etc 11 52.38 Improved boat access e.g. boat ramps 7 33.33 More bank-side native vegetation 1 4.76 Removal of undesirable bank-side vegetation e.g. blackberries 8 38.10 More woody habitat for fish 4 19.05 Other in-water improvements e.g. installing boulders or removal 7 33.33 excess siltation Improved water flows and levels that benefit fish 4 19.05 Improved passage for fish to move up and down stream e.g. past 3 14.29 weirs and other obstacles Stock more fish 4 19.05 Removal of pest fish like carp 7 33.33 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 1 4.76 Total Respondents 21

18 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019 2. Hopkins River Basin

The Hopkins River (photo taken by Professor John Sherwood)

Table 5-1 Expenditure Estimates Hopkins Expenditure Estimates Sample Population Expenditure day trips $290 $9,265 Expenditure overnight trips $3,394 $108,595 Total expenditure $3,683 $117,860

Confidence range $112,698 $123,023

Table 5-2 Travel Cost Estimates Hopkins

Average distance travelled 172.43 172.43 Average travel cost per visit 117.25 117.25 Total travel cost Hopkins $3,166 $123,464

Table 5-3 Consumer Surplus Estimates Hopkins

Consumer Surplus Estimates Sample Population Hopkins $ 5,505 $176,160 Total Hopkins $176,160 Confidence range $ 168,444 $183,876

19 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019

Table 5-4 Visitor estimates Hopkins

Visit Estimates Sample Population Hopkins Number of visits 120 3840 Number of visit days 181 5792 Number of unique visitors 32 1024

Table 5-5 Angler’s preferred areas they like to go fishing Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Alexandra Lake 1 3.70 Beaufort Lake 1 3.70 Bolac Lake 7 25.93 Bookar Lake 0 0.00 Burrumbeet Creek 5 18.52 Burrumbeet Lake 8 29.63 Cartcarrong Lake 0 0.00 Cobrico Lake 0 0.00 Dawsons Dam 1 3.70 Deep Lake 1 3.70 Fiery Creek 1 3.70 Goldfields Lake 1 3.70 Gillear Lake 1 3.70 Greenhill Lake 4 14.81 Hopkins River 19 70.37 Jubilee Lake 5 18.52 Learmonth Lake 2 7.41 Logans Lake 0 0.00 Merri River 9 33.33 Mount Emu Creek 3 11.11 Mumblin Lake 0 0.00 Musical Gully Reservoir 0 0.00 Muston Creek 0 0.00 Norval Dam 0 0.00 Norville Dam 0 0.00 Shallow Lake 0 0.00 Tea Tree Lake 0 0.00 Winslow Lake 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 0 0.00 Total 27

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Table 5-6 What they like about their favourite location Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Somewhere I know well 14 36.36 Easy to get to 11 21.21 Access to town services and facilities 8 9.09 Good chance of catching my preferred type of fish 10 36.36 It has good bank fishing access 6 21.21 It has good boat fishing access 5 42.42 Not many other people fish there 2 12.12 I like the scenery/landscape 5 18.52 It is close to where I live 4 14.81 It is where my fishing group/friends prefer to go 6 22.22 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 0 0.00 Total 27

Table 5-7 The species they like to catch Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Murray cod 3 11.11 Golden perch 2 7.41 River blackfish 0 0.00 Bream 14 51.85 Australian bass 0 0.00 Estuary perch 8 29.63 Australian salmon 3 11.11 Mullet 2 7.41 Brown trout 7 25.93 Rainbow trout 9 33.33 Snapper 1 3.70 Trevally 1 3.70 Mulloway 5 18.52 Eels 1 3.70 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 2 7.41 Total 27

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Table 5-8 The key changes that anglers think could improve their fishing experience at these locations Primary reason for your visits Reponses % Improved access for land-based fishing e.g. trails, fences etc 10 37.04 Improved boat access e.g. boat ramps 4 14.81 More bank-side native vegetation 6 22.22 Removal of undesirable bank-side vegetation e.g. blackberries 7 27.27 More woody habitat for fish 6 25.93 Other in-water improvements e.g. installing boulders or removal excess 3 22.22 siltation Improved water flows and levels that benefit fish 6 3.70 Improved passage for fish to move up and down stream e.g. past weirs 1 6.06 and other obstacles Stock more fish 7 25.93 Removal of pest fish like carp 11 40.74 Other 0 0.00 Other (please specify) 2 7.41 Total Respondents 27

Figure 5-1 Angler’s motivations to go fishing in the waterways of the Hopkins Basin

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23 Recreational Fishing Survey Report - June 2019

Appendix 2. VRFish Survey invitation

Help VRFish and the Victorian Government to plan recreational fishing investments in Victoria and go into the draw to win 5 BCF Gift Cards worth $200 each

VRFish is running a survey to get a better understanding about how recreational fishing in Victoria can be improved. VRFish is the peak body representing the voice of recreational fishing in Victoria. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete the survey. For some people, it will take less than two minutes. What you tell us in the survey is important. To be able to improve your fishing in Victoria we need to know what is important to you. The information you provide us in the survey will help VRFish and the Victorian Government to plan recreational fishing investments in Victoria in the future. You are invited VRFish is inviting a small number of Victoria’s fishers to take part in this survey. You are one of the recreational fishers we’ve invited to complete this survey. We strongly encourage you to complete our survey. By getting enough responses from recreational fishers like you we’ll have a good understanding of the recreational fishing investments you want for Victoria in the future, and where we should make these investments. Five chances to win a $200 BCF Gift Card By finishing the survey you’ll go in the draw to win one of five BCF Gift Cards valued at $200 each. How do I complete the survey? To start the survey please click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/I_Fish_VicRivers If this link doesn’t work by clicking on it, please copy and paste the link into your browser. When we have enough responses we will close the survey. Don’t miss out. Complete the survey now to make sure your voice is heard and you go into the draw to win one of give BCF Gift Cards worth $200 each. Want to speak with us? If you want to speak with us about this survey please contact Michelle at VRFish on the phone number or email address below. Thanks for your input, it’s really valuable to VRFish for understanding how recreational fishers like you think recreational fishing in Victoria can be improved in the future. Thank you,