A model of recreational fisher behaviour for the West Coast Demersal fishery was developed in which fishers optimize fishing time per trip and the number of trips per year conditional on fishing opportunities, constraints on fishing and the opportunity cost of their time. To develop this model surveys were conducted and past surveys analysed. Specifically;
a statistical analysis of a baseline data base which is prior to recent stock and rules changes in the fishery (2003 survey).
a statistical analysis of a telephone survey of recreational fishers carried out in the 2009/10 fishing season. The survey was carried out in April/May 2010 by West Coast Field Services in a stratified random sample from the new recreational fishing licence database; and
a final survey and statistical analysis using a telephone survey of recreational fishers in the 2010/11 fishing season. Survey was from January/February/March 2011 by West Coast Field Services.