Dimensions of
wellbeing
Seven ‘dimensions of wellbeing’ were identified through the Valuing Coastal Fisheries project as being
relevant to the professional wild-catch industry. These are all elements of overall community wellbeing
that the industry contributes to in a number of ways. The project explored the nature of these
contributions through interviews, an economic questionnaire of fishers and three social questionnaires.
These included a random phone survey of the general public (35% of whom identified as recreational
fishers), a phone survey of fish retailers and wholesalers (including co-ops) and an internet questionnaire
of tourism and hospitality businesses.
A resilient local
economy
The wild-catch industry in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven generates more than $30 million in revenue and
over 284 full-time local jobs. This includes $15m, and 121 jobs, from the industry and the businesses
that service it and a similar amount from the secondary processing, wholesale and retail sector.
Eating out is one of the most popular activities undertaken by domestic visitors to the Shoalhaven and
Illawarra and the fishing industry provides an important and valued product to local tourism and
hospitality markets. Our project indicated that the vast majority (89%) of NSW residents expect to eat
locally caught seafood when on holidays.
Residents of the Shoalhaven and Illawarra recognise the economic importance of the wild-catch industry
to their region – 94% think it provides important employment opportunities, 95% believe it is an
important industry for NSW. 86% of people believe that professional fishing plays an important part in
tourism in their region through, for example, the supply of local seafood.
Community
health and
safety
Education and
knowledge
generation
Illawarra-Shoalhaven
The main fishing ports in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven area include Wollongong, Lake Illawarra, Kiama, the Shoalhaven
(Nowra/Jervis Bay/Greenwall Point) and Ulladulla. The area supports a diverse range of fisheries targeting a variety of
species including ocean trap and line, lobster, ocean haul, a seasonal longline tuna fishery and an active estuary general
fishery. The Valuing Coastal Fisheries project investigated the role of professional fishing in Illawarra-Shoalhaven
communities according to seven dimensions of community wellbeing.
I did a report [on] the composition of fallout that was going into the waters...it was
something like three tonnes of arsenic had actually fallen into the water over [30
years]..and it ended up destroying many parts of the lake… So to cut a long story short,
it was environmental awareness and environmental activism back in the mid '80s by the
fishing industry and other concerned people… working together that caused the
government to create the then Lake Illawarra Authority.
Fisher (071114_1)
The environmental knowledge held by local
professional fishers is a valuable resource for
managers and communities. For example, in the
Illawarra fishers have historically worked with
conservation groups and statutory authorities to
monitor concerns about water quality, particularly
within highly industrialised catchments around
Wollongong.
Residents in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven prefer Australian sourced seafood (52%) with
30% preferring seafood sourced from their own town or region. Consumption patterns
also indicate an interest in locally sourced product with many consumers
‘always’ (15%) or often (41%) purchasing local seafood. Most (62%) purchase
seafood once a fortnight or more, with a preference for fish followed by prawns.
76% of people from this region prefer local product as they believe it is better for
their health. The fishers we interviewed indicated they regularly participated in
search and rescue operations, including towing broken-down vessels.
A healthy
environment
The wild-catch professional fishing industry on the Illawarra-Shoalhaven operates under a range of
regulatory and voluntary controls aimed at minimising its environmental impact. The majority of the
Illawarra-Shoalhaven community supports the continuation of their local industry and believes the
industry can be relied on to act in a sustainable manner.
Integrated,
culturally
diverse and
vibrant
communities
The fishing industry plays an active role in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. The Ulladulla co-op and other fish
merchant businesses in the area provide sponsorship and donations – especially ice – to local sporting
and community groups. The co-op also provides important support services for fishers and their families.
The annual Ulladulla ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ is major cultural event and celebration.
Seafood forms an important component of cultural celebrations and recreation in the Illawarra-
Shoalhaven, especially over the summer period – 79% of residents purchased seafood the preceding
Christmas, and 66% during the summer holiday period (excluding Christmas/New Year). Other
celebrations and cultural events also involved seafood consumption including Easter (68%) and New
Years Eve (51%).
Cultural
heritage and
community
identity
The fishing industry is an important part of the history of the region and the port areas of Ulladulla,
Greenwall Point and Wollongong have strong ties to the industry as working harbours from which
fishing operations were conducted. The strong Italian heritage of the fishing industry in towns like
Ulladulla has had an important influence on the character and identity of the region. Residents
expressed high levels of concern over the loss of community identity (79% concerned) and the loss of a
‘way of life’ for fishers (85% concerned) if fishing were to be further restricted.
Leisure and
recreation
Over a third (36%) of residents surveyed in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven were recreational fishers. They
indicated a strong preference for locally sourced bait – 84% preferred local bait even if it was more
expensive. The reason for these preferences included a belief that it was better for the community
(93%), 80% thought it was better for the local environment and 62% believed it was more effective in
catching fish.
For more information and the full report visit @UTSvaluingcoastalfisheries
