The Anglers Catch Research Program

Tocumwal Angling Club is proud to be associated with the Anglers Catch Research Program (ACRP), recently formed within NSW Fisheries, is an expansion of the Anglers Catch Data Base project, which has been running since 1988. The monitoring of freshwater anglers catches has been undertaken by an enthusiastic group of anglers and Fisheries staff who have developed a process for the collection of valuable angling catch and effort data. This work has predominantly taken place in rivers and impoundments along the NSW eastern seaboard where Australian Bass has been the anglers targeted species. The introduction of the Freshwater Recreational Fishing licence has resulted in the allocation of funds to this program which has enabled NSW Fisheries to dedicate full-time staff to allow for the expansion of this valuable research to other recreational fishing areas and species in the state.
     NSW Fisheries is now liasing with recreational fishing organisations throughout the NSW to establish a program where catch and fishing effort can be monitored at fishing competitions. lmportant information such as species caught, fish length, hours fished, fishing methods used, weather and water conditions is now being gathered. This data is analysed and NSW Fisheries is able to determine angler catch rates and the fish population structure in each area. This information contributes to the development of appropriate management strategies for each fishery. This may be in the form of further biological sampling, a review of fish stocking practices or other forms of recreational fishing management. NSW Fisheries provides useful feedback to Anglers in the form of catch results and other useful information which may enhance the enjoyment of their sport.
     Each angler attending an ACRP competition is issued with a "Catch Card' on which they record information on each of their fishing sessions. Measuring equipment such as measuring rulers and pencils are supplied. Anglers are asked to accurately record the time they fished in a particular area or river reach, the fishing methods they have used and all captures they have made. it is important that all fish caught are recorded whether they are the anglers targeted species or an unwanted or undersized fish. Completed catch cards are returned and the data is then entered on the ACRP database. To August 2000 over 59,000 angling hours and 27,000 fish captures have been documented in the program.
     Many thanks must go to the anglers and the competition organisers who contribute so much of their time and effort to this research. The information being collected is vital to the better management of this valuable fishery.

For more information contact:
Angler Catch Research Program
NSW Fisheries. Cronulla Fisheries Centre
P 0 Box 21
Cronulla, NSW, 2230