Emerald-based Associate Professor John Rolfe has undertaken an economic survey to estimate that recreational fishing at Fairbairn Dam contributed more than $5 million a year to the local community.

He found that South Burnett region's Bjelke-Petersen Dam contributed $3.4 million and Boondooma Dam delivered $3.1 million in economic benefits to the Kingaroy, Murgon and Poston communities.

The interim survey results were released at the 2004 Southern Fish Stocking Group workshop at Blackwater on May 29-30, attended by 110 delegates.

Senior Fisheries extension officer Peter Long, from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, said the welcome findings vindicated the effort and dedication shown by the hundreds of volunteer members of Queensland's 70 fish stocking groups.

Associate Professor Rolfe's 12-month survey was commisioned by the Department.

He conducted the economic evaluation based on interviews with 700 groups of recreational anglers.

Associate Professor Rolfe will undertake a more comprehensive modelling analysis of the data and the final report will be made available in September to local government, regional water managers and Queensland's fish stocking groups.

Photo: Associate Professor John Rolfe (right) with other participants in the fishing stocking workshop.