Citizen Science

Angler Diary Program

Turn your passion for fishing into real scientific impact by joining the Angler Diary Program – a long-running community citizen science project helping to ensure the sustainability of Victoria’s fisheries.

The Angler Diary Program has been collecting data on fish populations since the mid-1990s. Volunteer anglers provide valuable time series information on fish growth, catch trends, survival and spawning success of various species. This diary information is used in recreational fishing monitoring and stock assessments, which guide the sustainable management of fish stocks.

There are some key species and locations which entirely rely on data gathered from the Angler Diary Program to inform management decisions for those species.

While all location and species data is useful, diarists are encouraged to focus on the following key species and waterways:

• Mallacoota Inlet – Black bream & dusky flathead
• Lake Tyers – Black bream & dusky flathead
• Gippsland Lakes – Dusky flathead
• Hopkins River – Black bream
• Glenelg River – Black bream & mulloway

There are two types of volunteer diarists:

• General Angler Diarists (GAD) record simple details from their regular fishing practices.
• Research Angler Diarists (RAD) follow set methods and target specific species to collect more detailed scientific data.

Both general and research angler diary methods require fishers to record data including:

• Time spent fishing
• Fishing location
• Species targeted and caught
• Fish lengths
• Number of rods
• Bait and hook type/sizes used

Angler diarists are equipped with special diaries and rulers to aid them in recording information about their catch.

Without the support of volunteer anglers, we would be lacking critical knowledge about the health and status of key fish stocks. The data collected through the Angler Diary Program is essential for understanding fish populations and fishery performance across a variety of priority Victorian recreational fisheries to help make informed fisheries management decisions.

For more information on the Angler Diary Program, visit: Angler diary program - VFA

If you would like to get involved or need a new diary, contact angler.diary@vfa.vic.gov.au.

The Angler Diary Program is funded by the Victorian Fisheries Authority and Recreational Fishing Licence revenue.

Fish Tagging

Recreational fishers can also contribute to the sustainable management of Victorian recreational fisheries through tagging and reporting of certain pelagic and cross-jurisdictional marine species. In conjunction with the NSW-DPI Game Fish Tagging Program and the Game Fishing Association of Victoria (GFAV), Victorian anglers can contribute to citizen science by tagging the following marine species.

To tag fish, BOTH minimum length and weight must be met or exceeded.

You can participate in the program by joining an angling club associated with the Game Fishing Association of Victoria (GFAV). Please forward enquiries to secretary@gfav.com.au.