Marine recreational fishing and the implications of climate change

Bryony L Townhill,John K Pinnegar,Ingrid Van Putten,Zachary Radford,Gretta Pecl,Kieran Hyder

doi:10.1111/faf.12392

Abstract

AbstractMarine recreational fishing is popular globally and benefits coastal economies and people's well‐being. For some species, it represents a large component of fish landings. Climate change is anticipated to affect recreational fishing in many ways, creating opportunities and challenges. Rising temperatures or changes in storms and waves are expected to impact the availability of fish to recreational fishers, through changes in recruitment, growth and survival. Shifts in distribution are also expected, affecting the location that target species can be caught. Climate change also threatens the safety of fishing. Opportunities may be reduced owing to rougher conditions, and costs may be incurred if gear is lost or damaged in bad weather. However, not all effects are expected to be negative. Where weather conditions change favourably, participation rates could increase, and desirable species may become available in new areas. Drawing on examples from the UK and Australia, we synthesize existing knowledge to develop a conceptual model of climate‐driven factors that could impact marine recreational fisheries, in terms of operations, participation and motivation. We uncover the complex pathways of drivers that underpin the recreational sector. Climate changes may have global implications on the behaviour of recreational fishers and on catches and local economies.

Highlights

Climatic change is projected to affect the marine and coastal en‐ vironment through rising sea levels, increased sea temperatures, changes in salinity, pH and oxygen, changes in the frequency and magnitude of wind, rainfall, waves, storms and currents, with sub‐ sequent changes in turbidity levels (IPCC, 2013)
This paper uses the United Kingdom and Australia as examples to consider the different aspects of climate change that might positively or negatively affect the marine recreational fishing sector globally, those who participate in the activity and businesses that rely on it for income
Climate change is likely to cause a decline in many Mediterranean species, including shad (Alosa alosa, Clupeidae), flounder, plaice and Fusca drum (Umbrina ronchus, Sciaenidae) that are important for recreational spearfish‐ ing and angling, because ranges cannot shift in this enclosed sea (Albouy et al, 2013)

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Climatic change is projected to affect the marine and coastal en‐ vironment through rising sea levels, increased sea temperatures, changes in salinity, pH and oxygen, changes in the frequency and magnitude of wind, rainfall, waves, storms and currents, with sub‐ sequent changes in turbidity levels (IPCC, 2013). It has been estimated that around 121 million people a year participate in recreational fishing, participa‐ tion varies greatly across countries (Cisneros‐Montemaier & Sumala, 2010). With such high participation and significant catches in some places (Radford et al, 2018), climate change impacts on the sector could have wide implications for ecosystems, the economy and more generally on people's well‐being. This paper uses the United Kingdom and Australia as examples to consider the different aspects of climate change that might positively or negatively affect the marine recreational fishing sector globally, those who participate in the activity and businesses that rely on it for income. In both the UK and Australia, there are coastal regions that are

| Limitations to movement

Findings

| CONCLUSIONS