Shore Anglers Research Articles

Engaging Los Angeles County subsistence anglers in the California marine protected area planning process

Abstract Ecosystem-based management is more successful when a great diversity of stakeholders is engaged early in a decision-making process. Implementation of the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) has been stakeholder-based, coordinating the participation of a wide range of people including divers, fishermen, conservationists, local officials, business owners and coastal residents. Although commercial and recreational fishermen have actively participated throughout the MLPA implementation process, and research related to California’s sport and commercial fisheries has been integrated into the process, pier and shore anglers have been relatively unengaged as stakeholders. This study was completed to generate information about pier angler understanding and sentiment towards marine protected areas (MPAs), as well as to educate anglers on the MLPA implementation process in southern California and inform them on involvement opportunities. Of the 3030 pier anglers surveyed over 12 months, 78% only fish for subsistence from piers and from shore (never from boats); 84.6% are of non-White/Euro-American ethnicity and speak English as a second language; and 82% indicated that they were supportive of establishing a strong network of MPAs in southern California, specifically fully-protective no-take marine reserves. This study is an example of an alternative and customized method of outreach designed to reach a unique and previously unengaged stakeholder group, which stands to be affected by the implementation of the MLPA in California. Engaging such non-traditional stakeholders in public policy may be critical for decision makers to gauge all views from those standing to be affected by a policy—not just the views of those that regularly attend policy meetings—and for the ultimate success of policy implementation and community support.

Biological implications of recreational shore angling and harvest in a marine reserve: the case of Cape Creus

Abstract Recreational shore fishing along the coast of the marine reserve of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) was studied in 2007 and 2009 based on roving creel surveys (on‐site angler surveys during which anglers' harvests are examined by the survey clerk). The study aimed to assess the biological impacts of this leisure activity on coastal fish stocks and the potential risks arising from the use of exotic baits. Recreational shore fishers employ seven different fishing techniques, of which the bottom fishing rod (a fishing rod whose hooks, together with the bait, lie on the bottom or near it by means of a heavy weight) is by far the most widely used method (nearly 90% of observations). In total, 25 fish species were identified in the catch from the bottom fishing rod. The estimated annual shore fishing catches (c.3 tons) are much lower than those obtained by recreational boat and spear fishing (c.20 tons each), and those from commercial (artisanal) fishing (c.50 tons). The weighted mean vulnerability index and trophic level values in the catch from the bottom fishing rod are 52.2 and 4.03, respectively. A minimum of 43% of the baits used by the shore anglers were live, non‐native species (mostly polychaetes). Overall, results highlight the impact of shore angling on coastal fish communities of a protected area and the increasing environmental risks arising from the use of exotic marine baits, which constitute a potential and unregulated vector of introduction of non‐native species in the Mediterranean. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantifying recreational shore angling catch and harvest in southern Portugal (north‐east Atlantic Ocean): implications for conservation and integrated fisheries management

Recreational shore fishing along 250 km of the south and south-west coast of Portugal was studied based on roving creel and aerial surveys. Surveys were conducted between August 2006 and July 2007, following a stratified random-sampling design and provided information on catch and effort, harvest and discards, angler demographics and fishing habits. Overall, 192 roving creel surveys, 24 aerial surveys and 1321 interviews were conducted. Based on the aerial surveys, a mean +/-s.e. total fishing effort of 705,236 +/- 32,765 angler h year(-1) was estimated, corresponding to 166,430 +/- 9792 fishing trips year(-1). Average time spent per fishing trip was 4.7 h. A total of 48 species, belonging to 22 families, were recorded in roving creel surveys. The most important species was Diplodus sargus, accounting for 44% of the total catches by number and 48% by mass. Estimated mean +/-s.e. total annual recreational shore fishing catch was 160.2 +/- 12.6 t year(-1) (788,049 +/- 54,079 fishes year(-1)), of which 147.4 +/- 11.9 t year(-1) (589,132 +/- 42,360 fishes year(-1)) was retained. Although overall shore-based recreational catches only corresponded to 0.8% of the commercial landings (only common species considered), D. sargus catches by recreational shore anglers were considerable, corresponding to 65% of the commercial landings. The implications of these results for integrated fisheries management and conservation are discussed, and future research proposed.

Profile of Recreational Anglers Visiting Rottnest Island, Southwestern Australia

An on-site questionnaire of shore anglers at Rottnest Island revealed that few were day visitors and most were staying in rental accommodation on their annual holiday to the island. Though most people fished near the settlement area, angling was recorded at many other localities around the island. Most respondents were male, from the Perth metropolitan area (particularly the higher income coastal suburbs), and, in the previous year, had fished at the island on <5 days. Though there is a summer peak in island visitation, more anglers were encountered in winter than summer. This angler profile information was incorporated a priori into the temporal and spatial stratification of a subsequent recreational angling total catch and effort survey.

Comparing and Combining Effort and Catch Estimates from Aerial–Access Designs as Applied to a Large‐Scale Angler Survey in the Delaware River

AbstractWe used probability‐based aerial−access surveys to estimate effort, catch, and harvest of American shad Alosa sapidissima and striped bass Morone saxatilis by recreational anglers in the Delaware River and upper estuary in 2002. Sampling of anglers at access points and flights over the river were conducted weekly from mid‐March through October. Daily flight times were randomly selected; probabilities were proportional to the observed distribution of daily angler effort in a prior aerial−access survey (random count). Additional experimental flights were scheduled to occur at the time of day with expected peak effort (maximum count). Effort estimates derived from these maximum counts were more precise than estimates derived from the random flights, but the maximum‐count observations caused bias except when the daily count expansions were based on effort distributions from the concurrent access survey. The aerial and access surveys produced similar estimates of boat angler effort and little evidence of bias, but shore anglers were undercounted in the aerial survey. We maximized the precision and minimized bias in total effort estimates by combining the estimates of boat angler effort and shore angler access. An estimated sevenfold increase in the access survey sampling effort (at nearly five times the cost) would be required to achieve the same precision in the total effort estimate produced by the aerial–access survey. Effective stratification and the use of efficient model‐based estimators helped us to achieve the target precision of 20% in relative standard error (RSE) for estimated recreational catch of American shad (mean = 26,885 fish; RSE = 16%) and striped bass (mean = 47,671 fish; RSE = 15%). A single access survey during the American shad run would have required a 10‐fold increase in sampling effort to achieve the same precision in estimated catch at six times the cost of the complemented surveys.

Association between the Catches of Round Gobies and Smallmouth Bass on the Upper Niagara River

We wanted to confirm the presence of round gobies ( Neogobius melanostomus) in the upper Niagara River and determine if there was a negative association between the catches of round gobies and smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu). Our approach was to compare the catch rates of round gobies and smallmouth bass by anglers based on their method of fishing (from boat or from shore) and the fish they sought (anything or black bass). During 2003, both boat anglers and shore anglers caught round gobies in the upper Niagara River. The catch rates of round gobies and smallmouth bass for shore anglers who sought anything were positively and significantly correlated (r = 0 .081, P < 0.001). The catch rates of round gobies and smallmouth bass for shore anglers who sought black bass were negatively and significantly correlated (r = 0.141, P < 0.005). Correlations were not done using the catch rates of round gobies and smallmouth bass by boat anglers because they caught so few round gobies. Our results suggest that round gobies did not disrupt fishing for smallmouth bass on the upper Niagara River during 2003 if disruption is defined exclusively by the association between catch rates of smallmouth bass and round gobies. However, catching round gobies did lead to angler perceptions of poor fishing quality.

Effects of Mechanical Harvesting of Eurasian Watermilfoil on Angling for Bluegills in Fish Lake, Wisconsin

Abstract We examined changes in angling effort, catch and catch rates, and fishing and natural mortality of bluegills Lepomis macrochirus associated with mechanical plant harvesting in a lake heavily infested with Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum. In August 1994, 18% of the total plant biomass was removed in a radial pattern of 2-m-wide channels in Fish Lake, Dane County, Wisconsin. After the vegetation removal, winter angler hours increased significantly, whereas summer angler hours did not. The number of boat trips in summer increased significantly, but the number of shore trips did not. Catch rates and total catch of bluegills did not change significantly, but the size structure of harvested bluegills increased. Catches of bluegills by shore anglers decreased in summer, whereas catches of bluegills by boat anglers increased. Natural mortality declined for bluegills of ages 4–6, but fishing mortality more than doubled for bluegills of the same ages. We conclude that removal of Eurasian waterm...

CONSERVATION IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT: SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF SHORE-ANGLING IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE

Summary Recreational shore angling is a very important sector of South Africa's diverse marine fisheries. The number of anglers participating in this sport is increasing at 6% per annum and currently stands at approximately 380 000. This number is expected to exceed one million within 20 years. The catch rates of many species caught from the shore have declined markedly for at least 50 years and the species composition of the catch has changed. This indicates that stocks of many species are overexploited and that effort increases cannot be sustained. Measures introduced to conserve these stocks appear to have been largely unsuccessful because they do not have the support of many anglers and they are ineffectively policed. It is concluded that, in order to sustain this fishery, current legislation needs to be improved and that a licensing system for anglers should be introduced through which an education campaign can be channelled.

Changes in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Salmonid Sport Fishery, 1969-1985

Abstract The modern sport fishery for salmonids in Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan was begun during 1963–1969 with the stocking of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, brook trout S. fontinalis, brown trout Salmo trutta, coho salmon O. kisutch, and chinook salmon O. tshawytscha. The fishery grew rapidly during 1969-1985 as angler effort increased 10-fold, catch rate doubled, and catch increased 20-fold. The stocking and catch became increasingly dominated by chinook salmon, with coho salmon and lake trout of secondary importance, and brown, rainbow, and brook trout of least importance. Trolling dominated the fishery, particularly by launched-boat anglers and, more recently, by moored-boat anglers. Charter boat trolling grew the most continuously and had the highest catch rates. The catch by trollers was dominated by chinook and coho salmon and lake trout. Pier, stream, and shore anglers fished less overall, but had catch rates that were similar to launched-boat anglers. Th...

Movements of Rainbow Steelhead Trout (Salmo Gairdneri) in Lake Ontario and a Hypothesis for the Influence of Spring Thermal Structure

To examine movements of rainbow/steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) and associated environmental influences, 28 fish were radiotagged in and near a tributary of Lake Ontario during spring spawning runs in 1981 and 1982. Trout initially entering the lake from the tributary generally exhibited east-west reversals of movement along the southern shore of Lake Ontario before dispersing off shore. Seasonal movement rates averaged 3.2 ± 1.6km/d over periods of 6–94 d; mean short term rates were 0.50 ± 0.46 km/h. Temperatures occupied in the lake were 9.1 ± 1.5°C; temperatures at which fish were last observed were 9.8 ± 3.8° C. Movements offshore and ultimate disappearances occurred from April to July, but were most pronounced when temperatures near shore exceeded 10° C. By linking trout movements to seasonal thermal structure in Lake Ontario, a testable hypothesis was established to explain the distribution of rainbow trout in spring and early summer. Based on tracking data, information provided by south shore anglers, and literature on the physical limnology of Lake Ontario, we hypothesize that rainbow trout disperse off shore in spring with thermal fronts, particularly the 6–8° C zone known as the spring thermocline.