What is the survey about?
The department conducts a statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing every 2 to 3 years to gather information about recreational fishing across Western Australia (WA). The department works closely with the recreational fishing community and Recfishwest to ensure fishing in WA remains enjoyable and sustainable. Research is partly funded by recreational boat fishing licence fees.
Recreational fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in WA, with one in four Western Australians fishing at least once per year. There are many benefits to participating in recreational fishing including wellbeing, relaxation and mental health. Recreational fishing also contributes more than $1.1 billion to the state’s economy. With so many social and economic benefits from recreational fishing, it is important to monitor this popular activity.
How was the information collected?
The statewide recreational fishing survey uses 3 methods to gather information:
- Offsite phone surveys conducted by researchers from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Survey Research Centre provides the necessary data used to determine estimates of fishing effort and catch of key species.
- Onsite surveys at boat ramp access points gives us average weight of key species.
- Remote camera monitoring give us a better understanding of where and when boats are launched and retrieved.
Who took part in the survey?
More than 8,000 fishers took part in the survey across our phone-diary survey and boat ramp interviews.
Recreational boat fishing licence holders were randomly selected to voluntarily participate in the survey. This allows us to collect a large and diverse array of data to better understand recreational fishing behaviour.
WA Recreational Boat Fishing Survey 2023-24 – August 2025
Read the full Boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2023/24 research report.
What’s next?
These results will also be used in stock assessments and harvest strategies. This will bring benefits to recreational fishing and ensure WA fisheries are managed sustainably so there are fish for the future. The next survey is due to commence in mid-2026.
Results from previous surveys
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Boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2020/21
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Statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2017/18
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Statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2015/16
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State-wide survey of boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2013/14
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An integrated system to survey boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2011/12
Survey types and methods
Learn more about survey types and methods by downloading the factsheet.
DownloadMore information
This project was funded in part by the 130,000 recreational boat fishing licences issued annually. The survey is a collaboration with Edith Cowan University and Recfishwest. We thank all the recreational fishers who participated and volunteered their time – this important survey wouldn’t be possible without you!
Contact us
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WA Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories39 Northside Drive, Hillarys WA 6025, Australia