WAMSI Node 4.5.3 - Pilot socio-economic assessment of commercial and recreational fisheries in the West Coast Bioregion

This sub-project addresses the question what are the initial and longer term (2 years) economic and social values generated under the changed management arrangements associated with the demersal finfish fisheries of the West Coast Bioregion’, in relation to the charter boat industry of Western Australia.

It assesses the development, size, and structure of the industry, and examines the socio-economic impact of recent changes to the management of recreational fishing in the West Coast Bioregion. The results of an operational and financial and socio-economic survey of active operators and an analysis of daily trip returns show that tour operators have adapted to the new management regime in five principal ways:

(i) a decline of fishing effort;
(ii) an increase in alternative (non-demersal) fishing activity;
(iii) an increase in non-extractive activity;
(iv) a transfer of some effort outside of the West Coast Bioregion;
(v) and the exit of active operators and the retirement of inactive licenses.