INDUSTRY RD&E CAPACITY

Desired Outcome: The recreational fishing sector has the leadership, capability and resources to research and advocate its views effectively in decision-making forums.

PRIORITY AREAS FOR INVESTMENT

The following are the priorities for investment in building capacity in the recreational fishing sector:

 Programs aimed at developing the leadership skills of younger fishers;

 Programs aimed at developing the mentoring skills of older fishers;

SIGNIFICANCE OF ISSUE

Leaders within national and state recreational peak bodies and other representative groups are aging and while many of these bodies have attempted to implement succession plans these have only had limited success. There is a need for the development of leadership skills in younger fishers if there is to be effective generational change.

There is a need for the industry to have a capacity to undertake its own research into issues that are seen as industry priorities. These issues are often not seen as a priority for government or university researchers and are not funded through those traditional avenues.

CURRENT STATUS

 A quick scan of key national and state recreational fishing bodies reveals almost all those involved in positions in these bodies are over 50 and are male. While this means there is a significant level of experience within those bodies there are very few younger people and particularly females being attracted to become the next generation of leaders.

More funding is being directed at recreational fisheries research at both the national and state level as more funds are being collected direct from recreational fishers eg from fishing licences. However, very little of this funding is being returned to the industry, due to the very limited research capacity within the industry. The reliance on traditional research providers is limiting the development of innovation within the industry.

For over a decade, recreational fishers have increasingly demonstrated their ability to contribute to large-scale data sets and valuable time series of data through research angler diaries, hooking trials and tagging programs. Their role is currently expanding into monitoring and assessment to evaluate the impacts and effectiveness of management changes.

RECFISHING RESEARCH STRATEGIC RESPONSE

Recfishing Research will work with national and state recreational fishing bodies to develop leadership programs that will be attractive to younger fishers. Those bodies will be assisted in the identification of young fishers with leadership aspirations or potential and encourage them to get involved in leadership and skills development programs.

 Researchers who currently work within the industry will be assisted to develop their capacity to undertake RD&E projects and to become more competitive in the market place for RD&E contracts. Recfishing Research will identify researchers who can address the national priorities and work with them to develop projects with a view to improving the quality and success rate of applications. Emphasis will be placed on bringing industry, fisheries managers and researchers together to develop collaborative programs that address priority issues while building industry’s skills base.

Recfishing Research will also promote the need for a greater involvement of industry researchers in those programs where there is a direct contribution to research funds by recreational fishers.

PROGRESS TO DATE

A number of leadership programs have now been implemented.

Recfish Australia undertook a project on the “Next Generation of Leaders” in the Northern Territory in 2007.

Western Australian “Young Future Leaders in Recreational Fishing” funded by the Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme was completed in 2008.

New South Wales “Young Leaders supporting the Future of Recreational Fishing” funded by the Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme was completed in 2009. Some of the participants in those programs have already taken up leadership positions or positions that may lead to leadership roles.

Recfishing Research now has a position for a younger fisher on its Steering Committee.

AFTA has initiated a number of research projects funded through industry contributions.

This includes studies by Ernst and Young on the impacts of MPAs on recreational fishing and promoting an environmentally sustainable future for recreational fishing.

Recfish Australia commissioned a “Scoping Study of Options for Strategic Revenue Sources for the Recreational Fishing Sector” by Marsden Jacobs Associates to examine sources of funding for the recreational sector.

PROJECTS RECFISHING RESEARCH IS MONITORING

FRDC Peter Dundas-Smith scholarship program This provides a scholarship to a young leader in the recreational sector every 2 years.

Australian Rural Leadership Development program This is open to participation by emerging leaders in the recreational fishing industry.

FRDC project 2009/314: "Strengthening partnerships and relationships within the recreational fishing sector" Recfish Australia: Len Olyott ceo@recfish.com.au

FRDC project 2009/300: "Empowering Industry R&D: Developing an industry driven R&D model for the Australian fishing and seafood industry - partnerships to improve efficiency, profitability and performance" Fishwell Consulting: Ian Knuckey Timeframe: July 2009 - June 2012

FRDC project 2009/211: "Whose fish is it anyway? - Investigation of co-management and self-governance solutions to local issues in Queensland's inshore fisheries" University of Queensland: Darryl McPhee Timeframe: August 2009 - June 2011