Study reveals recreational fishing contributes $270m to NT economy
A new study has revealed Territorians and tourists are crazy about fishing to the tune of $270m.
Business
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A new study has put the value of recreational fishing to the NT economy at more than a quarter-of-a-billion dollars - and it could be far more than that.
ABARE’s National Social and Economic Survey of Recreational Fishers 2018-2021 was recently released by the federal government and shows recreational fishing supports more than 2500 full-time equivalent workers.
And two of the years during which the study was compiled were impacted by pandemic restrictions that may have short-changed some of the results.
The study found Territorians are crazy about fishing with 33 per cent of residents wetting a line compared with only 26 per cent in four other states and just 16 per cent in Victoria, where it’s always cold.
It showed the sport contributed $270m to Territory gross state product and supports 2523 full time equivalent jobs.
Yknot Fishing Charters operator Charles Vears is expanding his business into harbour tours after building capacity for recreational fishing.
Mr Vears launched the business in 2019 with partner Rachel surviving the Covid years and has just bought a 45ft Westcoaster fishing boat.
Other assets include a 10m Preston craft, trailers, two cabins at Dundee Beach and an Airbnb with five two-bedroom villas, a 22-seat tour bus and countless rods, tackle and assorted fishing gear.
The business has four charter operators working the boats, two office staff, four cleaners for the cabins and two bus drivers.
Yknot conducted 326 charters in 2022 with another 46 cancelled due to bad weather.
“If there’s a cyclone we just batten down the hatches, seek cover at home and get on the beers,” Mr Vears said.
“I think I speak on behalf of the entire tourism industry when I say recreational fishing has the biggest pulling power for getting people from interstate into the Territory.
“This then spills into visits to the national parks, restaurants, shop visits - a lot of that comes from people travelling here to fish. We work with a lot of other tourism companies and offer packages.”
And the quality of catch in the NT keeps people coming back.
“Visitors love to catch billfish and the most popular catch is definitely the black jewfish,” Mr Vears said.
“We have over 55 different species up here so we’re very fortunate to have such good fisheries
“If airfares to Darwin were the same as to Queensland I reckon we’d attract double the amount of fishing tourists we currently have here.”
Amateur Fishermen’s Association NT chief executive David Ciaravolo said while fishing was fun, it’s also a serious business.
“With one in three Territorians going fishing and the fishing effort of tourists rivalling locals, fishing in the Territory is not only a popular activity, but it represents an enormous market,” Mr Ciaravolo said.
“We know now that recreational fishing is contributing at least $270 million to Territory GDP and supporting 2500 full time jobs, so it is critical that we get the planning for the future of this valuable and diverse sector right.
“The business ecosystem of the recreational fishing sector includes retail, marine services, manufacturing, accommodation, hospitality and professional services, with a footprint spread across Darwin and the regional areas of the Top End.”
The release of ABARE’s report coincides with the NT government’s announcement this week it is seeking feedback from Territorians into a draft 10-year recreational fishing plan.
Feedback on the draft plan can be made via Have Your Say until April 18, with the plan released later this year.
The new development plan will seek to identify key areas for reform, opportunities for optimisation, and the kind of strategic investments required from government to support the sustainable growth of recreational fishing and all of the jobs and value it delivers to the Territory.
More information on the development plan can be found at https://industry.nt.gov.au/industries/fisheries/recreational-fishing-development-plan.
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