Measuring the value of water, fishing
Just what is it that prompts people to go great lengths and expense to travel somewhere, plonk the family down next to a river and spend a day watching the tip of a fishing rod for movement?
Whatever it is, it’s been happening on the Wimmera River in Horsham during Labour Day long weekends since the 1970s, barring a few years of drought.
An obvious motivation is the major prizes that are always on offer – often a car, a boat, a caravan or a choice – and the wealth of other incentives provided by businesses and supporters.
But in reporting on this annual pilgrimage for almost three decades, the greatest motivations prompting people to continue to take part seem to be the pursuit of company of friends and-or family, or a chance to relax and remove themselves from the hassles of everyday life.
It is an amazing fact that there have been people who have fished in Horsham Fishing Competition since it started who have never caught a fish. Yet, these are often the anglers who return year after year.
The fishing contest provides insight into why the State Government is investing so heavily in promoting angling, arguably the largest recreational sport in the world.
The government has regularly declared it has a target to grow angling participation in Victoria to one million by 2020 through its $46-million Target One Million project. It wants more people going fishing. But why? Because it’s a healthy, cross-cultural and benign pastime and generates economic activity. While catching fish is obviously a critical part of the endeavour, and for many this is the prime objective, it is often the process, the circumstance and the environment that has so much appeal.
We suspect the whole cultural health aspect of the concept is about going fishing more than the actual fishing and as an outdoor pursuit there are probably none better at engaging all members of a family.
With the sport covering such a broad cross section of age groups and cultures – it is open to anyone – the economic stimulus generated by the pastime is significant.
As if governed by some primeval magnet, many of us are drawn to the water to fish, ski, swim, sightsee or simply escape to experience nature.
In times of drought, inland communities miss water terribly. The cultural and socioeconomic significance of recre- ational water has been far from lost on Wimmera development leaders. But while the community benefits of having recreational lakes and rivers full of water are often the subject of regional debate, much of the discussion has been based on anecdotal perceptions.
Wimmera Development Association, in partnership with catchment and water agencies and local government, has launched a study to catalogue the social and economic value of recreational and environmental water in the Wimmera and southern Mallee.
The information will provide critical support information in the future for everything from infrastructure and services to the provision of water.
It might also provide greater understanding of why events such as Horsham Fishing Competition need support and patronage.