Harmonizing recreational fisheries and conservation objectives for aquatic biodiversity in inland waters

Abstract

The importance of recreational fisheries to local and national economies, and as a generator of immense social welfare throughout the developed world, is well established. Development in the sector and its interaction with non-fishery-related nature conservation objectives for aquatic biodiversity, however, have the potential to generate conflict. This article reviews the intersection between recreational fisheries and nature conservation goals for aquatic biodiversity with specific reference to inland waters in industrialized countries, and the principal management activities and constraints that can lead to conflicts. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis was used to review the issues facing sectoral development and identify options for future advancement of recreational fisheries to ameliorate potential conflicts with nature conservation goals. It is concluded that reconciliation of recreational fisheries and modern conservation perspectives is both possible and desirable, because many conservation problems also benefit fisheries quality. Angler buy-in to conservation is probable if (1) management scales are small, (2) threats to conservation originate from outside the fisheries sectors and (3) ecological awareness for the conservation problem is high. If these aspects are not present, reconciliation of recreational fisheries and nature conservation goals is less likely, risking both the aquatic biodiversity and the future of angling. To address these issues, enforcement of legislation and continued communication with angler communities is necessary, as well as development of integrated management policies that build on the instrumental values of aquatic biodiversity for recreational fisheries, while curtailing the more insidious threats to such biodiversity that originate directly from the recreational fisheries sector.

Modeling water quality in reservoirs used for angling competition: Can groundbait contribute to eutrophication?

“…Recreational fisheries involve millions of people worldwide and contribute substantially to the increase of social and economic benefits, both locally and nationally (Lewin et al 2006, Cowx et al 2010. In Portugal, approximately 219,000 recreational anglers are licensed for inland waters, as reported by the National Forest Authority (AFN), the Portuguese state agency managing inland fisheries.…”

Pike (Esox lucius) stock management in designated brown trout (Salmo trutta) fisheries: Anglers’ preferences

“…Stocking programmes often are based on the simple premise that stocking increases fish abundance, which leads to higher catch rates and more satisfied anglers (Loomis and Fix, 1998;Patterson and Sullivan, 2013), an idea that has been demonstrated as flawed under certain circumstances (Schultz and Dodd, 2008;Patterson and Sullivan, 2013). Active stock management is generally in response to declines in (wild) fish stocks, which can be related to recreational fishing or its management practices (Arlinghaus et al, 2002), as well as a symptom of a wide range of other activities that damage aquatic ecosystems (Cowx et al, 2010;Craig, 2016). Structural and functional changes in fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems can arise due to recreational fishing pressures (Lewin et al, 2006;Johnston et al, 2013;Post, 2013) and stocking itself can have unintended impacts (Lorenzen, 2005(Lorenzen, , 2008Larsen et al, 2005;Støttrup and Sparrevohn, 2007).…”

Fishing Tourism can Support Fisher’s Livelihood and Fish Conservation in Nepal: A Value Chain Analysis

“…Several studies have been carried out on the impact of tourism based recreational fisheries worldwide (Coleman et al 2004;Steven and Cowx 2006;Cowx et al 2010) suggesting that tourism fishing is detrimental for fish conservation approaches (Regier et al,1999;Westera et al 2003). This fact, in general, has been acceptable.…”

“…Fishing tourism has been well recognized as contributors to local, national and regional economies throughout the world (April et al 2011;Cordell et al 1999). The fishing tourism has been a part of international and global concern (Cowx et al 2010;Travis et al 2014). The tourism industry accounted for 8% of the world's gross domestic product and about 9% of the world's employment (Goeldner et al 2000).…”