UNIVERSITY researchers will visit Batemans Bay on Friday as part of a two-year project researching the importance of commercial fishing to NSW regional communities.
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The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is inviting fishers to complete a detailed survey to gather vital industry economic and social data.
Fisheries Research and Development is funding the work to guide industry strategies and action and seek sustainable outcomes.
Researchers spent this week visiting the Far South Coast.
They have progressively targeted major commercial fishing communities across NSW, interviewing more than 100 fishers, community members, council staff, councillors and business people.
Researchers said Australian commercial fishers faced a growing list of hurdles to assure prosperity and sustainability, including industry restructures, introduction of marine parks and recreational fishing havens, environmental and fish habitat degradation, rising costs and overseas competition.
UTS researcher Dr Kate Barclay, an expert in international tuna industries, said the industry’s economic, social and cultural contribution to communities was not well understood.
She said that was a concern, given the diverse challenges it faced.
“Most of us live near the coast in Australia, yet few of us realise how much the fabric of our lives, the prosperity of our communities and even our cultural identities owe to regional fishing industries,” Dr Barclay said.
“Australia is a world leader in maintaining the health of its marine resources, but right now we can’t predict how a serious decline in commercial fishing would affect the economic and social fabric of many coastal communities.
“The two-year study – Valuing Coastal Fisheries- is the first to target multiple fishing communities to understand the challenges and identify the opportunities for the industry.
“This will provide all tiers of government the information needed to make informed decisions about changes based on local needs.”
Study co-researcher, Dr Michelle Voyer, said the most value would be achieved with collaboration and input from local businesses and the community.
“There has been much past scientific research on biological factors in fishing,but little on its social and economic significance,” Dr Voyer said.
“We will need as much input from local operators and the community as possible.
“We know conditions will vary from community to community and much local knowledge and accumulated intergenerational wisdom may need to be gathered.
“As our research unfolds in our target communities, we will call on a range of sectors to add their knowledge and insights.
“We hope an outcome will be that different groups within communities work together on strategies leading to prosperous, environmentally responsible and sustainable fishing industries in their region.”
To take part, visit the Valuing Coastal Fisheries Facebook page and web site:
www.facebook.com/UTSValuingCoastalFisheries
www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-arts-and-social-sciences/what-we-do/research-projects/valuing-coastal-fisheries.
