The New Zealand National Survey of Marine Recreational Fishing

In 2011 the Ministry for Primary Industries embarked on its first national survey of marine recreational fishing in over 10 years. Based on previous bitter experience and clearly biased results in some previous surveys, MPI recognized the need for a radical shift in its approach to the problem. A comprehensive national survey was required that was fit for purpose, cost effective and supported by most stakeholders in an environment of competing research priorities and limited research budgets for recreational fisheries, but previous methodologies had delivered only piecemeal results and some disturbing inconsistencies. In this paper we outline the combination of political, economic, social and technological factors required to shift entrenched views toward the reality of a workable integrated system.