OzFish lifting the lid on litter

Our new survey of recreational fishers has revealed just how much litter is on your minds – and in your fishing spots. With responses from fishers across Australia, the results show a growing frustration with rubbish in our waterways, but also a willingness to take action to keep them clean.

The survey found that 99% of respondents are now bothered by litter, a significant increase from five years ago.

The biggest shift in attitudes comes from a growing awareness of the impact of litter on fish and waterways (30%), as well as the perception that public spaces are being treated with less respect (40%).

The most common offenders

When asked what types of litter they commonly see while fishing, beverage containers (88%), fishing line (78%), and bait bags (75%) topped the list. However, the types of litter vary by location.

Queenslanders and Western Australians are more likely to find bait bags, while fishers in NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania, and the NT report beverage containers as the most common issue. In the ACT, fishing line is the biggest problem.

Fishers are also paying attention to the amount of waste that comes with their own gear. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) feel there’s too much packaging in fishing products, with 60% believing it’s excessive and 76% saying there’s too much plastic. Encouragingly, 30% of fishers said they’d pay extra for better, recyclable packaging, signalling an opportunity for industry change.

Small actions, big impact

Despite frustration about litter, fishers aren’t just complaining – they’re stepping up. 90% of respondents said they actively pick up litter when they see it, and 82% carry a litter bag while fishing. Many are also looking for better disposal options, with 40% keen to use tangle bins if they’re available. Recognising this, we’re working to increase the number of tangle bins at popular fishing locations.

There’s also hope that things are improving. More fishers are talking about litter (56%), more bins are available (50%), and results are showing our collective efforts at OzFish have given 43% of respondents confidence that change is happening.

The results from the litter survey also align with findings from this year’s Clean Up Australia Day, which revealed that less than 1% of litter collected was related to recreational fishing.

The message is clear: fishers care about our waterways and aren’t the ones causing the problem – but they’re still stepping up to help fix it.

With continued action – whether it’s reducing waste, picking up litter, or pushing for better product packaging – recreational fishers are showing they’re committed to protecting their fishing spots for future generations.