Both hunting and recreational fishing activities support a range of businesses and jobs within the NSW economy. Expenditure on these activities – including on equipment, transport (including vehicles and fuel), accommodation, food and drinks, etc. – generate a range of social and economic benefits.

Expenditure based valuation approaches have been used for this sector and are considered comparable with GVP measures. Market valuation techniques are not appropriate as there is no catch or harvest sold, and they do not capture all the community benefit elements of recreational fishing and game hunting.

In NSW, both recreational fishing and game hunting activities are regulated through licences. Revenue from licence sales is used to directly support these sectors, generating additional social and economic benefits.

All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW. Projects encompass fishing enhancement, access and education programs, research, and compliance activities.

Similarly, all money received for game hunting licence fees goes into a trust that directly benefits NSW Game Hunting Licence holders. The money helps support the activities of the Game and Pest Management Advisory Board, funds research demonstrating the impact of hunting on the native environment, and game hunting compliance activities.