Changes in angler demography and angling patterns during the Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2020 measured through a citizen science platform

Casper Gundelund,Christian Skov

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104602

Abstract

From 11 March to end of May 2020 a lockdown was imposed in Denmark due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Concurrently a 20% increase in sales of mandatory national angling licenses was reported in Denmark, suggesting an increase in angling participation. Here, we use data collected from a citizen science platform for recreational anglers to a) explore whether the increase in participation affected multiple characteristics of the anglers that registered to the citizen science platform in spring 2020, and b) explore changes in angling effort and catch patterns during the lockdown as reported to the platform. The results indicate that the platform was able to detect changes in the characteristics of the participants in the Danish recreational angling during the Covid-19 lockdown, i.e. participants were younger, more likely to live in urban areas, less experienced, stated angling as a less important hobby, and less likely to be from outside of Denmark. The spring 2020 participants did not conduct more fishing trips compared to previous years, but their effort patterns differed. The effort patterns revealed a shift in fishing activity from weekend to weekday and, during the day, a shift in fishing activity from midday to early evening. These changes most likely reflect the extraordinary conditions that most Danes experienced during the lockdown. We found relatively lower catch rates and a trend towards retaining more fish, among the participants that registered in spring 2020. The results are discussed in relation to biological implications and lessons learned about data collection from citizen science platforms.

Highlights

Recreational fishing is an important leisure activity for many people, and takes place in many marine and freshwater areas [1,2]
We use data collected from a citizen science platform for recreational anglers to a) explore whether the increase in participation affected multiple characteristics of the anglers that registered to the citizen science platform in spring 2020, and b) explore changes in angling effort and catch patterns during the lockdown as reported to the platform
The results indicate that the platform was able to detect changes in the characteristics of the participants in the Danish recreational angling during the Covid-19 lockdown, i.e. participants were younger, more likely to live in urban areas, less experienced, stated angling as a less important hobby, and less likely to be from outside of Denmark

Summary

Introduction

Recreational fishing is an important leisure activity for many people, and takes place in many marine and freshwater areas [1,2]. Benefits and impacts from recreational fishing, such as angling, is likely to be affected by changes in participation patterns. The borders to Denmark were closed, effectively preventing international traveling for a prolonged period. Most of these initiatives prevailed until midApril 2020 where a slow and gradual reopening of the country was initiated. The Covid-19 outbreak caused an abrupt and imme diate change in the life patterns of Danish citizens. One potential result of these changes was an increase in angling participation among the Danish citizens, documented by a 20% increase in the sale of the mandatory national fishing license in spring (i.e., March, April and May) 2020 compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019 [7]. Little is known about the demography, and angling behavior of these additional anglers

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Discussion

Conclusion