In March this year, we conducted our annual Community Survey to gauge Western Australians’ perceptions of DPIRD and the ways they engage with WA fisheries. Survey data from phone interviews with 720 people were weighted to reflect the estimated residential population.
About 1 in 4 people fished recreationally in the past 12 months, equating to 630,000 people. On average, respondents fished for 10.2 days, with number of days fished ranging from 1 to 250. The highest fishing effort occurred in the Perth Metro region (46%), followed by the West Coast region (excluding Perth Metro, 25%), and the South Coast region (20%).
Across four key fisheries management areas (Commercial, Recreational, Aquaculture and Pearling, and Fish Habitat Protection) the Department received an 83% satisfaction rate – an increase of 3% from last year’s survey.
The results of this important survey are used to monitor, evaluate and improve the effectiveness of DPIRD’s programs, activities and functions.
Read more in our 
Annual Report.
