15 December 2008

‘Why We Fish’ survey taking place in Marlborough Sound

The first phase of a survey on recreational fishing in the Marlborough Sounds started on Saturday, 6 December. The ‘Why We Fish’ survey is being run by the Cawthron Institute to help understand what recreational fishers in the Marlborough Sounds hope to get out of their fishing experience, and what sort of management they would like to see in place.

“The aim of this survey is to gather quality information and opinion from recreational fishers to help improve the management of the Marlborough Sounds fishery”, said Jim Sinner of the Cawthron Institute “The information will help to protect those things about Marlborough Sounds fishing that are so important to recreational fishers”

The first stage of the survey has already started. Cawthron Institute researcher, Jojo Jackson, has begun to gather names and contact details of recreational fishers in the Marlborough Sounds. She is talking to fishers out on the water, at boat ramps and marinas. All the people contacted, and who agree to participate in the survey, will be able to take the survey by post or online through the Cawthron website, cawthron.org.nz/surveys. The survey itself will commence on the 20th January 2009.

The survey involves a comprehensive look at the opinions of the people who go recreational fishing in the Marlborough Sounds. They include; why people go fishing in the Marlborough Sounds; what are the ingredients of a good fishing experience; what fishers think about ways to reduce accidental fish deaths when fishing for species regulated by size and bag limits.

“The first stage of the research is to get a list of fishers that we can ask to complete the survey. This has already begun and will continue until mid-March.

“Members of the public who don’t meet Jojo can access the survey on our website cawthron.org.nz/surveys”, said Jim Sinner.

For more information on the survey, visit cawthron.org.nz/surveys. The Cawthron Institute has been commissioned to do this survey by the Ministry of Fisheries.

ENDS

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