The next steps in growing the state's recreational fishing tourism sector – currently worth $380 million a year – gets underway this week.
A state-wide, industry led survey is taking place to help plan ahead for future growth of the sector, and to deliver on an election commitment to develop an integrated Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy.
Recreational fishing tourism is an important component of the South Australian visitor economy. Around 810,000 leisure visitors to and within South Australia include fishing as part of their trip. Recreational fishing tourism drives visitation across the state, with recreational fishers contributing to the dispersal of tourism dollars deep into tourism regions.
The South Australian Tourism Commission, in partnership with RecFish SA, is undertaking a survey to help inform the new strategy. It will aim to:
- help the sector achieve its full potential
- maximise its contribution to the South Australian economy, people and nature.
Once developed, the strategy seeks to consolidate South Australia as a key recreational fishing tourism destination. It will provide a framework and set of indicators that highlights the economic contribution of recreational fishing tourism to our state.
According to the latest Survey of Recreational Fishing in South Australia (2021-22):
- there are about 360,000 recreational fishers in SA
- recreational fishing contributes $1 billion to the state's economy (about 1% of the Gross State Product).
The survey runs from 20 June to 27 July and can be accessed through Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy | YourSAy. The strategy is due to launch by March 2024.