Top fishers are key to completing fish stocks puzzle

Fishing is a way of life for Ben Golden. He gets out to fish 2 or 3 times a week, whenever the weather allows, moving between creeks, rivers, and coastal waters.

Living on the Sunshine Coast, Ben counts his blessings that he can catch both northern and southern species along this part of the coast. Over the last 5–10 years, he’s noticed northern species like coral trout and nannygai appearing more frequently, with warmer currents lingering longer, which he attributes to this change.

For Ben, regular time on the water isn’t simply a hobby, but part of what makes living in the region so rewarding.

Why experienced fishers matter

Ben thinks a lot about what it will take to keep recreational fishing sustainable for generations to come.

Responsible catch and release practices matter deeply to him. That includes careful handling, knowing when to release fish, and using best-practice techniques to improve survival.

He also believes one of the most important things fishers can do happens after the trip: record what they caught.

Ben regularly logs his catches in the Qld Fishing 2.0 app because he believes accurate data helps build a better picture of what is happening on the water.

“Recreational fishing is such a big sector in Queensland, but getting catch data from recreational fishers is a challenge,” he says.

“But if more fishers record their catch data, we can see changes in fish stocks earlier.”

Breaking through the trust barrier

Ben believes the biggest barrier for many recreational fishers is trust.

“A lot of people are sceptical of what Fisheries Queensland is doing with that data,” he says. “The fear is a big thing, about what’s going to happen if they are to share that information.”

He believes many of the most experienced fishers are also the most reluctant to share information, potentially because they’ve experienced increased restrictions on their fishing in the past.

But those same fishers also hold some of the most valuable knowledge.

They fish often. They know their local waters. They notice when species, sizes, seasons and conditions begin to shift.

Ben says these highly experienced fishers are the ones with the best, most reliable data, and therefore the power to demonstrate most accurately what is really happening on the water. Without their contributions, fisheries managers are left with an incomplete picture.

“If this is what decisions are being based on, we’re better off saying what is actually happening out there,” Ben says.

Why everyday records matter

Ben also points to the sheer scale of recreational fishing, sharing the example that at some local boat ramps, there can be “three or four hundred” recreational fishers on a weekend morning.

“Even small catches from that many boats can add up quickly,” he says.

That is why everyday trips matter. Not just the standout trips. Not just the trophy fish. Consistent reporting from regular fishers helps show what is happening over time.

Ben has seen attitudes shift over the years. He remembers competitions where people lined up with eskies full of fish. Today, many competitions use photo-based entries instead, significantly reducing unnecessary take.

He sees catch reporting as part of that same shift towards stewardship.

For Ben, more recreational fishers recording their catch data is a natural progression of this attitude, to ensure Queensland’s fishing lifestyle can be enjoyed for generations to come.