Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
The management of fisheries in countries with significant recreational fishing sectors faces unique challenges. Increased fishing power, capital investment, and government policies aimed at boosting recreational participation complicate sustainable management efforts. The lack of comprehensive data on recreational harvests hinders effective stock assessments and the development of appropriate management measures. This complexity highlights the need for targeted strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.
Recreational fisheries often lack a universal licensing framework and compulsory catch reporting, unlike commercial fishing. This can lead to excessive harvesting behaviors due to the non-excludability of the resource, creating a race for fish. This issue is exacerbated for range-extending species, which are increasingly targeted by recreational fishers due to climate-driven availability, leading to a 'pacing problem' where effort outpaces the development of assessment and catch controls.
Innovations in locating and catching fish, replicating natural prey, and sharing experiences are reshaping recreational fishing. While beneficial for anglers, these changes create management challenges through expanded catching capacity and localised depletion.
This project will investigate the drivers of technology adoption in recreational fishing, the heterogeneity across fishers (e.g., sport, leisure, food), and the association of capacity investments with potential increases in recreational effort and catch. A mixed methods approach will be applied, including a structured review of existing literature and analogous sectors (commercial fishing, hunting) to understand drivers of capacity build-up in open-access natural resources. The project will model theoretical frameworks of recreational resource exploitation allowing for endogenous capacity expansion, supplemented with empirical analysis of primary data (e.g., survey data) where available. The model will be used to consider implications for future fisheries policy and sustainable management, particularly for range-extending species.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applications are open to Domestic/ International/ Onshore applicants.
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Hons degree in related field (e.g., resource management, social or environmental sciences, resource economics)
- Understanding of sustainability as it relates to natural resource management
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Understanding of recreational fishing practices, regulations and management as it relates to Australia
- Previous experience working in economic policy or social policy related to natural resource management
- Interest in social-economic principles for policy analysis as it relates to sustainable natural resource management
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Steven Rust to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 June 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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