Potential Environmental Impacts of Recreational Fishing on Marine Fish Stocks and Ecosystems

When an advantageous reproductive trait turns bad: Eggs of the threatened fish Genidens barbus as a natural bait in recreational fisheries

“…Some authors have suggested that the significant rise of recreational fisheries can have negative effects on the maintenance of fish stocks, fostering an imbalance in the dynamics of some resources (Cabanellas‐Reboredo et al ., 2017; Johnston et al ., 2018). At the ecosystem community level, for example, recreational fisheries can potentially cause shifts in species composition and, consequently, trophic cascades (Lewin et al ., 2019; Matern et al ., 2019). Ecosystem structure might also be negatively influenced by removal of fish biomass, littering, habitat destruction, bycatch of unwanted species, and the introduction of non‐native organisms (Lewin et al ., 2019).…”

“…At the ecosystem community level, for example, recreational fisheries can potentially cause shifts in species composition and, consequently, trophic cascades (Lewin et al ., 2019; Matern et al ., 2019). Ecosystem structure might also be negatively influenced by removal of fish biomass, littering, habitat destruction, bycatch of unwanted species, and the introduction of non‐native organisms (Lewin et al ., 2019).…”

Conservation bottom-up initiatives in marine recreational spearfishing suggest the emergence of positive attitudes towards conservation

“…Marine recreational spearfishing may have a series of negative ecological impacts on ecosystems (Lewin et al 2019). Such impacts can be related to selective harvesting of large individuals (Pavlowich and Kapuscinski 2017), long-lived and slow-growing species (e.g.…”

Impact of UK sport fishing on fish welfare and conservation

“…Environmental pollution: Litter and discarded or lost recreational fishing gear (including lines, fishing tackle, nets, and traps) remain in the environment for years and can lead to the entanglement of wildlife, causing significant injuries and death to animals (Lewin et al, 2019). Fishing hook and line injuries in wild animals are regularly encountered in the UK (Harvey, 2010;Mullineaux & Keeble, 2016).…”

“…UK, n.d.). Recreational fishing continues to contribute lead to the water from lost or discarded tackle, and has been identified as a high-risk impact (Lewin et al, 2019).…”