Technological innovations in the recreational fishing sector: implications for fisheries management and policy.

Andy J Danylchuk,Steven J Cooke,Robert J Lennox,Jacob W Brownscombe,Ben K Diggles,Christian Skov,Robert Arlinghaus,Kieran Hyder,Paul Venturelli,William M Twardek,Cory D Suski

doi:10.1007/s11160-021-09643-1

Abstract

Technology that is developed for or adopted by the recreational fisheries sector (e.g., anglers and the recreational fishing industry) has led to rapid and dramatic changes in how recreational anglers interact with fisheries resources. From improvements in finding and catching fish to emulating their natural prey and accessing previously inaccessible waters, to anglers sharing their exploits with others, technology is completely changing all aspects of recreational fishing. These innovations would superficially be viewed as positive from the perspective of the angler (aside from the financial cost of purchasing some technologies), yet for the fisheries manager and policy maker, technology may create unintended challenges that lead to reactionary or even ill-defined approaches as they attempt to keep up with these changes. The goal of this paper is to consider how innovations in recreational fishing are changing the way that anglers interact with fish, and thus how recreational fisheries management is undertaken. We use a combination of structured reviews and expert analyses combined with descriptive case studies to highlight the many ways that technology is influencing recreational fishing practice, and, relatedly, what it means for changing how fisheries and/or these technologies need to be managed—from changes in fish capture, to fish handling, to how anglers share information with each other and with managers. Given that technology is continually evolving, we hope that the examples provided here lead to more and better monitoring of technological innovations and engagement by the management and policy authorities with the recreational fishing sector. Doing so will ensure that management actions related to emerging and evolving recreational fishing technology are more proactive than reactive.

Highlights

IntroductionThroughout the ages, we have witnessed incredible innovations (here we define technological innovation as a new or improved solution to a need or problem— often a product or a process—see https://www. ideaconnection.com/interviews/00218-InnovationOpportunities.html) fueled by human creativity and scientific discovery—from fire to the wheel to penicillin to the supercomputer
Throughout the ages, we have witnessed incredible innovations fueled by human creativity and scientific discovery—from fire to the wheel to penicillin to the supercomputer
There are a number of ethical issues that certainly emerge with respect to ‘‘giving fish a sporting chance’’ (e.g., Hummel and Foster 1986) and providing unfair advantages to certain anglers that adopt various technologies

Summary

Introduction

Throughout the ages, we have witnessed incredible innovations (here we define technological innovation as a new or improved solution to a need or problem— often a product or a process—see https://www. ideaconnection.com/interviews/00218-InnovationOpportunities.html) fueled by human creativity and scientific discovery—from fire to the wheel to penicillin to the supercomputer. Throughout the ages, we have witnessed incredible innovations Ideaconnection.com/interviews/00218-InnovationOpportunities.html) fueled by human creativity and scientific discovery—from fire to the wheel to penicillin to the supercomputer. The COVID-19 vaccine is just a contemporary example of how human innovations can strongly shape our environment and the wellbeing of human societies. Technology has changed the lives of humans and continues to do so with near daily advances in all realms from entertainment to health care to business to travel to the environment (Roco and Bainbridge 2013). Natural resource management has had to adapt to changes in technology that have. R. Arlinghaus Division of Integrative Fisheries Management, HumboldtUniversitat zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany.

Objectives

Conclusion