Micro‐Fishing as an Emerging Form of Recreational Angling: Research Gaps and Policy Considerations

Abstract

Micro-fishing is an emerging form of recreational angling that targets small-bodied fish in inland and marine waters. Although most fish are presumably released, some are retained as specimens for home aquaria or dissection to confirm identification. To date, very little is known about the effects of micro-fishing on individuals (e.g., stress, injury, mortality), populations, or communities owing to a historical focus on large-bodied species in recreational fisheries. We identify a list of research gaps that should be addressed to better elucidate motivations and identify any potential negative effects of micro-fishing and how they could be mitigated. We also consider the implications of micro-fishing for policy and management, recognizing the many uncertainties given lack of empirical research.

The Sport Fish Restoration Program as a Funding Source to Manage and Monitor Bowfishing and Monitor Inland Commercial Fisheries

“…Other states, including the eight states participating in this paper, and some others, as well as those with different statutes and administrative rules see some re‐classification as providing more flexibility (Nebraska: K. Steffensen, Nebraska Game, Fish, and Parks, letter of April 5, 2021 to DLS). Reclassification is a key step in changing species perceptions; it may enhance their ability to respond to additional needs brought about by the ascendancy of sport bowfishing (Wisconsin: J. Hasz, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, letter of April 1, 2021 to DLS) and other non‐traditional recreational angling of fishes (e.g., angling for buffalofishes; micro‐fishing: Cooke et al 2020) not previously seen as worthy of Sport Fish Restoration funds for management.…”

The emergence of marine recreational drone fishing: Regional trends and emerging concerns

“…However, its appeal varies from person to person and is driven by a multitude of motivations which range from the acquisition of supplementary food or money (FAO 2012;Cooke et al 2018) to the capture, and subsequent release, of fishes as personal trophies (Arlinghaus 2006;Cooke et al 2020). As a result, recreational angling now appears in numerous different shapes and forms and targets a plethora of different fish species in a wide range of angling environments.…”

“…However, the impacts of individual recreational fisheries are often related to the qualities of the fishers (Cooke and Suski 2005;Brownscombe et al 2017). Thus, emerging angling methods and technologies can introduce new unrecognised threats towards fish populations (for example, see Cooke et al (2020) perspective on 'microfishing' and Cooke et al (2021) review of technological innovations). This is a common occurrence in commercial fisheries and termed ''technology creep'', whereby the use of new technologies has been attributed to increased fish catching efficiency and, in some instances, the capture a new species (Pauly and Palomares 2010).…”

Microfishing for Juvenile Bluegill: A Catch‐and‐Release Study on an Emerging Form of Recreational Angling

“…Microfishing is an emerging form of recreational angling that uses specialized equipment that is much smaller than what is typically used with more conventional angling techniques (Cooke et al 2020). Microfishing should not be confused with attempting to catch large fish on light gear/tactics (i.e., use of ultralight gear).…”

“…This is particularly concerning given that microfishing may target previously unpressured species, especially if those species happen to be rare or imperiled. Even the most basic aspects of microfishing, such as injury or mortality rate and how they vary with microfishing hooks, is nonexistent (Cooke et al 2020).…”