A fresh feed of flathead continues to be top of the menu for Tasmania's recreational fishers according to the latest What's the Catch? survey.
The survey commissioned by DPIPWE, and funded through recreational sea fishing licence fees, is conducted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies every five years.
It provides updated details on key trends that are vital to ensuring our recreational fisheries continue to be sustainably managed for generations to come.
The 2012-13 survey found that recreational fishing is a hugely popular past time for Tasmanians, with almost one in four dropping a line in at least once in 2012-13.
Flathead remains the catch of the day, with more than 1.6 million taking the bait, and almost half of those released. Australian Salmon is the second most hooked fish, followed by trout.
Fishing is most popular among men, with the highest numbers of fishers aged between 45 and 59 years of age.
There are major spin-offs for the economy, with fishers spending an average of $1,000, or a total of $93 million on boats, fuel, fishing gear and other equipment.
Recreational fishing is one of the many wonderful experiences enjoyed by thousands of locals, and it also attracts fishers from interstate and across the globe.
A brochure summarising the key findings of the survey and copies of the full report are available at www.fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fisheries-research
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