Assessment of fishing guide knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours in global recreational fisheries

Abstract

Fishing guides are held in high esteem by recreational fishing clients whom they likely influence (for better or worse) through role-modelling. This, coupled with consensus that angler behaviour is a key determinant of ecological outcomes in the catch-and-release (C&R) process suggests exploring the state of fishing guide knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on trips is critical for effective intervention in the global fish crisis. Fishing guides were recruited for an online survey using collaborator networks and social media (n = 342; 47 countries). The survey assessed the guides’ knowledge of C&R best practices, attitudes towards environmental behaviours, attitudes towards environmental responsibility and their current practices on guided-angling trips. While most fishing guides were deemed “knowledgeable” (69.0 %) having answered most (≥ 4/7) of the best practice questions correctly, many had poor knowledge of key C&R processes such as oesophageal unhooking. Most fishing guides were untrained (64.0 %), and only 8.8 % had accredited training. Fishing guides generally had positive environmental attitudes towards C&R behaviour (50.9–96.2 %), suggesting pro-environmental behavioural intentions. Fishing guides deemed “knowledgeable” had significantly more pro-environmental attitudes towards angling behaviours (p = 0.003), which suggests that best practice training may improve their C&R behaviours. Most fishing guides had pro-environmental attitudes towards their environmental responsibilities (87.1–89.5 %), but these broad attitudes may have little bearing on actual behaviours when faced with a significant trade-off between client satisfaction and ecological integrity. Despite some fishing guides’ good knowledge of appropriate behaviours, positive attitudes towards the environment and towards C&R practices, there is room for improvement to meet sustainability goals for C&R fisheries, which may be facilitated through opportunities for best practice training.