The Human Dimensions of Recreational Anglers Targeting Freshwater Species in Coastal Ecosystems, with Implications for Management

Abstract

Little is known about whether brackish coastal ecosystems attract specific angler types that are characterized by site-specific preferences and behaviors while targeting freshwater fishes living in a low-salinity environment. Using the lagoon ("Bodden") fisheries in northeastern Germany, we compared the human dimensions among anglers fishing in Bodden sites, anglers fishing primarily in freshwater sites, and other, less-setting-specialized anglers that use both marine and freshwater fisheries. Data were generated from a 1-year telephone-mail-diary study involving over 1,000 study participants. The general characteristics, demographics, specialization level, motives, catch orientation, and catch-and-release behaviors of the three angler groups were rather similar. However, when targeting specific freshwater fish (i.e., Eurasian Perch Perca fluviatilis, Northern Pike Esox lucius, and Zander [also known as Pikeperch] Sander lucioperca), the motives of anglers choosing the Bodden versus freshwater sites differed. Specifically, Bodden anglers targeting freshwater species in brackish waters were more catch oriented, trophy fish oriented, and challenge seeking compared to freshwater anglers. Bodden anglers were also more likely to fish with friends rather than alone compared to the other angler groups, and they were more likely to use motorboats and to take guides compared to freshwater anglers. Correspondingly, a revealed preference choice model showed that anglers expecting high catch outcomes and social experiences with friends and boat fishing were more likely to select the Bodden waters relative to freshwater sites. Additionally, anglers with a stronger orientation toward the noncatch, experience-based aspects of fishing were more likely to fish in the Bodden and coastal sites compared to freshwater, suggesting that coastal sites satisfy both catch-and non-catch-related expectations. We suggest that given their specific preferences and characteristics, Bodden anglers will be particularly sensitive to constraints imposed on using motorboats and to declines in catch rates and trophy sizes in the catch, specifically for Northern Pike.

Using catch orientations to identify clusters of North Carolina trout anglers

“…We identified three unique catch orientation clusters of sampled recreational trout anglers in North Carolina: non‐catch‐oriented anglers ( n = 557), consumptive anglers ( n = 748), and trophy anglers ( n = 372). Catch orientation cluster membership provided utility in describing primary angling motivations, gear use, and PMTW visitation and preferences as paralleled in other studies (Kyle et al 2007; Beardmore et al 2013; Pokki et al 2020; Koemle et al 2021). Below, we discuss how these results may impact NCWRC's PMTW management and highlight theoretical contributions related to recreation specialization and identified improvements of catch orientation measures in species specific inquiries.…”

“…The presented work emphasizes the heterogeneity of angler's catch orientations for a specific sport fish family (mountain trout). When considering a species family in their survey response, anglers are likely to provide more reliable and consistent measures of catch‐specific phenomena than if they were considering and recalling attitudes towards all fish, as frequently posed in catch orientation studies (Ajzen and Fishbein 1977; Hutt et al 2013; Koemle et al 2021). While other studies have applied catch orientations with trout anglers in the southern Appalachians, our study was the first to validate the model (Hutt and Bettoli 2007; Hyman and McMullin 2018).…”

Inland fisheries management in Poland - current state and institutional conditions

“…More broadly, inland fisheries form a system with three basic elements: fish, their habitats, and people (Figure 1). Social, economic and institutional aspects are now also referred to as the human dimensions of inland fisheries management (Arlinghaus, 2004;Koemle et al, 2021).…”

Quantifying the historical development of recreational fisheries in Southeast Queensland, Australia

“…Recreational fishing is a popular leisure activity which contributes significantly to local economies and fisher's welfare (Arlinghaus et al 2015, Griffiths et al 2017. It is estimated that approximately 120 million people engage in marine recreational fishing activities globally, generating economic revenue of USD$39.7 billion annually (Cisneros-Montemayor & Sumaila 2010, Roberts et al 2017, Arlinghaus et al 2021. Participation rates vary regionally, with general trends showing signs of declines over time (Brownscombe et al 2014 Hammen & Chen 2020).…”

“…Spatial heterogeneity of fishing effort can also be influenced by non-fishing motives, such as accessibility, travel costs, uncrowded surroundings, nature, and regulations (Hunt 2005, Johnston et al 2010, Arlinghaus et al 2014, Koemle et al 2021. When the spatial and temporal complexity of fishing activities can be accounted for, impacts from recreational fisheries can be useful for assessing the effectiveness of management strategies (e.g.…”