Historical reconstruction and social context of recreational fisheries: The Australian East Coast Barramundi

Abstract

Recreational fishing in Australia makes important contributions to local economies and fisheries harvests. Historical evaluations of the cumulative effects of exploitation for most recreationally targeted Australian fish stocks remain unexplored, as do the social and cultural contexts of recreational fishing. Historical newspaper articles were used to derive quantitative and qualitative catch data on Queensland's east coast barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), a popular species targeted by recreational fishers. Decadal‐scale catch rates (1869–1952) were reconstructed, as was the development of the fishery since its earliest documentation. Models indicated a significant decline in catch rates, from an average of 5.20 kg /fishing trip (95% confidence interval, 3.82–7.09) in 1870–3.24 kg/fishing trip (95% CI 2.72–3.87) in 1952. Variability in catch rates was associated with a spatial and seasonal interaction effect, with average catch rates differing among regions and seasons. Qualitative analysis showed a northward expansion of the fishery along the east coast, coinciding with increasing number of locations fished, establishment of organised fishing clubs in the 1900s and concerns of overexploitation starting in 1909. Integration of quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed past socio‐cultural factors and trends in the barramundi fishery, while building confidence in the reliability of inferences made from archival data sets.

Diving into archival data: The hidden decline of the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) in Queensland, Australia

“…effort) is equal through time (McPherson & Myers, 2009). Thus, to apply this approach to the giant grouper fishery in Queensland, two assumptions were made: First, fishing effort remained consistent over time (Chong‐Montenegro et al, 2022), and second, line fishing was the primary gear used throughout the study period (Thurstan et al, 2016). All models were fitted using a Poisson error distribution with a log link function.…”

“…from historical records, naturalists' species lists and local catch reports (Chong-Montenegro et al, 2022b;Thurstan et al, 2018). The application of quantitative approaches to analyse archival data, such as estimates of relative abundance of rare species (e.g.…”

“…Within the field of marine historical ecology, interdisciplinary approaches have been developed to reveal information about past species' population trajectories and inform about the cumulative anthropogenic impacts of fishing on marine species (Drew et al, 2016; Early‐Capistrán et al, 2018; Miller et al, 2019). Past population trends and species distributions have been reconstructed from historical records, naturalists' species lists and local catch reports (Chong‐Montenegro et al, 2022b; Thurstan et al, 2018). The application of quantitative approaches to analyse archival data, such as estimates of relative abundance of rare species (e.g.…”

Quantifying the historical development of recreational fisheries in Southeast Queensland, Australia

“…During the post-WWII era vessel engine power and the adoption of eco-sounders and GPS increased significantly, allowing fishers to discover new productive fishing grounds (Thurstan et al 2018). In addition, changes in fishing gear from natural fiber lines and cane rods to monofilament line and cheap but durable fiberglass rods made fishing gear more efficient and accessible (Clark 2017, Thurstan et al 2018, Chong-Montenegro et al 2021. Ultimately, improvements in refrigeration and cold storage systems allowed fishers to keep fish fresh for extended periods (Clark 2017), enabling extended trips and greater spatial coverage.…”

“…Moreover, qualitative data derived from open-access news media (e.g. newspapers, magazines) can inform about societal and cultural drivers that have led to current fisheries states (Thurstan et al 2017, Chong-Montenegro et al 2021. Historical reconstructions of recreational fisheries have described catch rate declines of popular recreational fish species, including bonefish (Albula vulpes: Santos et al (2017)) and, Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara: McClenachan (2009b)), as well as changes in overall ecosystem productivity (Altieri et al 2012, Lawson et al 2021.…”