The role of social norms and informal sanctions in catch‐and‐release angling

Abstract

This study focuses on norms and informal sanctions of catch‐and‐release angling and their implications for fishery management. A Web‐based questionnaire of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., anglers in the Lakselva River, Norway, yielded 656 answers (response rate 68 %). Anglers were segmented into four subgroups: catch and release, keeper, something else, trophy angler. In all groups, the reward (positive feeling) was high and punishment was low for releasing a large salmon as expressed by the intensity of self‐sanctions. All groups saw keeping a large salmon mostly as a rewarding experience, although the C&R and trophy segments reported less rewards and more ‘punishment’ for keeping. There is evidence for both a medium strength C&R norm and a weak keep norm in this fishery, receiving different ascriptions between angler groups. The results help understand angler group conflicts and explain how angling behaviour is formed, thereby helping management agencies achieving angler satisfaction.

Social-Cultural Ecosystem Services of Sea Trout Recreational Fishing in Norway

“…Many of the fishers who answered this study fish fairly locally: 42% usually traveled 30 min or less to go fishing and many are from Trøndelag. This supports the idea that there is a connection between the increased willingness of Norwegian anglers to release some of their catch and the decline in Norwegian stocks (Stensland and Aas, 2014).…”

“…Others describe the importance of recreational fishing in Norway in terms of social motivations such as preserving traditions and culture (Norges Offentlige Utredninger [NOU], 2013;NMA, 2018). Some studies (e.g., Aas and Kaltenborn, 1995;Ferter et al, 2013;Stensland and Aas, 2014) note, however, that Scandinavian fishers, perhaps Norwegian fishers in particular, do have one distinguishing characteristic: a reputation for consuming more of their catch than do others. Indeed, the retention and consumption rate of the catch in Norway has been high compared to countries like Canada and Scotland where the catch and release (C & R) rate reaches over 50% (Thorstad et al, 2008;Ferter et al, 2013;Stensland and Aas, 2014).…”

“…The Norwegian tendency may be a legacy of the country's traditional harvest-oriented culture for fishing and hunting (e.g., Aas and Kaltenborn, 1995). However, this seems to be changing (Stensland and Aas, 2014). The aggregate release rate for both Atlantic salmon and sea trout has increased in Norway from about 5% in 2009 to 20% in 2017.…”

Mahseer (Tor spp.) fishes of the world: status, challenges and opportunities for conservation

“…This is partly due to the often ignored and highly complex social and cultural attributes of recreational fishing, including understanding angler motivations and behaviours, relationships among governance entities, and community perspectives (for e.g. Hunt et al 2013;Naiman 2013;Stensland and Aas 2014). Increasingly, researchers are recognising the importance of socialecological relationships in recreational fisheries and the need to account for interactions among these systems in their evaluation (Barnett et al 2016;Arlinghaus et al 2016Arlinghaus et al , 2017.…”

Sustainability Initiatives of Fly-Fishing Lodges: A Global Approach

“…A review of the extant fly-fishing literature suggests that this field of study is organised around a number specific themes that focus on the demand side of fly-fishing. Much of this research is focused on specialisation (Bryan, 1977 Stensland and Aas, 2014); and gender. Fly-fishing is representative of the "Old Boys Network" that establishes barriers for some and opportunities for others (Crowder, 2002), and where masculine traits are practiced among like-minded individuals (Bull, 2009).…”