Frisch et al., 2008:

Abstract

"This study compared the catch composition, catch per unit effort, and incidental impacts of spearfishers and linefishers engaged in a structured fishing program whereby fishing effort was standardised across time, space and skill level. It was found that (1) the catch composition of both groups of fishers overlapped considerably, (2) the numbers of target fish caught by spearfishers (156) and linefishers (168) were not significantly different, (3) the mean size of target fish caught by spearfishers (1.95 +/- 0.1 kg, +/-SE) was significantly larger than the mean size of target fish caught by linefishers (1.27 +/- 0.06 kg), and (4) spearfishers retained 43 per cent more biomass of target species than did linefishers (304 versus 213 kg, respectively). However, linefishers used ~1 kg of bait for every 3 kg of target fish that were captured. Linefishers also caught far more undersized, undesirable, or protected fishes (i.e. bycatch) and caused far more pollution (i.e. lost gear) than spearfishers. It is concluded that the overall impacts of recreational spearfishing and linefishing on fishery resources of the Great Barrier Reef are broadly equivalent (per unit of fishing effort)."

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Citation and/or URL

Frisch, A.J., Baker, R., Hobbs, J-P. A. and  Nankervis, A. 2008. A quantitative comparison of recreational spearfishing and linefishing on the Great Barrier Reef: implications for management of multi-sector coral reef fisheries. Coral Reefs 27: 85-95.  

Spatial Coverage

Seven reefs to the north of Townsville 

Temporal Coverage

Short term comparative survey (135h. total) 

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

 None