Angler Surveys Research Articles

Estimation of fish consumption rates based on a creel angler survey of an urban river in New Jersey, USA

A one-year angler intercept survey was conducted on the lower 17 miles of the Passaic River, an urban industrialized river that flows through Newark, New Jersey. The purpose of the survey was to collect data about anglers’ behaviors and fish consumption habits in order to calculate exposure factors for a human health risk assessment of the Study Area. This paper focuses on estimating site-specific fish consumption rates for LPRSA anglers that consume their catch. The study design included on-site interviews and counts (angler enumeration). Forty survey locations were included in the stratified random sampling plan; interviews were conducted on 136 days and counts on 164 days. After matching intercepts with the same angler, a total of 294 anglers were interviewed, of which 25 reported consuming their catch. LPRSA fishing trips ranged from 2 to nearly 50 annual trips for anglers who reported consuming their catch. Species caught and reported to be consumed included carp, catfish, white perch, smallmouth bass, and eel. The estimated mean and 90th percentile consumption rates for the population of consuming anglers are 5.0 and 8.8 g/day, respectively. Based on sensitivity analyses, the 90th percentile fish consumption rates range from approximately 4 to 18 g/day.

Characterizing Angler Preferences for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye Fisheries in Wisconsin

AbstractManaging recreational fisheries in lake‐rich landscapes with diverse fish communities and anglers alike presents a social and biological challenge for managers. Understanding angler preferences is central to navigating these challenges and can aid in predicting shifts in angler behavior in response to management actions or changing fish populations. Species‐specific angler surveys do not incorporate tradeoffs inherent in multispecies fisheries, thus limiting their application to real‐world management issues. To better understand angler preferences in relation to realistic tradeoffs among different fishing opportunities, we conducted a survey of Wisconsin anglers in 2013–2014 that included questions requiring anglers to choose between fisheries providing different outcomes. We used stated‐preference modeling to quantify angler preferences associated with Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, and Walleye Sander vitreus fisheries. Next, we conducted a latent class analysis using survey responses to classify anglers into subgroups. Finally, we assessed the sensitivity of angler choice to changes in fishing opportunities. Results of the stated‐preference models indicated that both residents and nonresidents largely prefer “quality” (i.e., moderate catch rate and size structure) over “action” or “trophy” Bluegill fisheries and that characteristics of Largemouth Bass fisheries have more value to nonresidents than to residents. Aspects of the Bluegill fishery were most important in choosing among hypothetical lakes for resident respondents. Five angler subgroups were identified that show the importance of Bluegill and Walleye but shed additional light on anglers’ commitment level and nonresidents’ preference for Largemouth Bass. In addition, simulations of changes in Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill fisheries indicated that maintenance of quality Bluegill fisheries is important to ensuring continued angler participation, while the retention of high‐yield Walleye fisheries is likely paramount to a subgroup of anglers. Our results offer insight into angler preferences across the lake‐rich landscape of Wisconsin and demonstrate how angler behavior may shift in response to transitions in fishing opportunities.

Recreational Fishing in Florida Bay: Economic Significance and Angler Perspectives

Florida Bay is a large, shallow, subtropical estuary located off the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and north of the Florida Keys, and is mostly contained within the bounds of Everglades National Park. Its unique ecological characteristics and location near densely populated urban areas make Florida Bay a popular tourist destination for recreational fishing. A survey of recreational anglers and guides was conducted to estimate the economic significance of recreational fishing in the Bay. Results indicate that recreational fishing on Florida Bay contributed $439 million in economic activity to the local economy in the year the study was conducted. Further, anglers from outside the region made up a disproportionate share of the economic contribution. Anglers were also queried through the survey about their opinions of the current status of the Bay. Most respondents indicated that they perceived that the quality of fish populations and habitat was declining, and that they fished the Bay less frequently than in the past. The importance of the results to restoration efforts targeting the Bay and the greater Everglades ecosystem is discussed.

Motivation and harvesting behaviour of fishers in a specialized fishery targeting a top predator species at risk

Abstract Effective management of wildlife resources depends on understanding and cooperating with the human users of the resource, particularly as policies may be rejected if user satisfactions are not met. In Australia, recreational anglers can legally target a migratory top predator, the shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus, which is also a species at risk. It is assumed that most of the sharks are released and population remains minimally impacted; yet, the actual release rate of this species is unknown and little information is available about anglers that participate in this fishery. Fishing motivations and behaviours were ascertained by a web survey of recreational shark anglers from three south‐eastern Australian states. Respondents reported that ~70% of the captured makos were released, with significant geographic variation in release rates between states. Most anglers reported being motivated by the catch‐based objectives, the thrills and challenges, rather than harvest‐based motivations. However, there were significant differences in harvesting motivation among states. This could be attributed to the varying value assigned to shortfin mako as a sport fish and table fish among regions. Additionally, higher rates of release among anglers from New South Wales may be linked to increased opportunity for resource substitution (i.e. greater diversity of game fish species) and established norms driven by current catch‐and‐release fisheries in that region. Increased participation in catch‐and‐release fishing may be achieved by establishing behavioural norms by the provision of more desirable incentives to release sharks during fishing competitions. Data on regional variation in release rates yield important information for managers to target specialized fishers to incentivize catch‐and‐release fishing with an objective of changing behaviour. Many anglers understand that sharks are important to marine ecosystems and messaging may be important to deliver effective management given that most anglers are motivated by catch‐based objectives even though many enjoy harvesting makos. Information on natural resource user motivations and satisfactions, such as studied here, has the potential to guide management actions and the ways in which managers interact with resource users. A plain language summary is available for this article.

Evaluation of an Educational Campaign to Improve the Conscious Consumption of Recreationally Caught Fish

Consumption guidelines are a common way of improving conscious consumption behaviors in areas where game fish are known to contain contaminants. However, guideline information can be difficult to distribute, and effectiveness difficult to measure. To increase the distribution and effectiveness of guideline information for the Detroit River, an educational campaign was launched in 2010, which included distribution of pamphlets with consumption information, posting of permanent signs at popular fishing locations, and hiring River Walkers to personally communicate with anglers. In 2013 and 2015, we conducted in-person surveys of active shoreline anglers to determine the effectiveness of education and outreach efforts. Results from the survey indicated that 55% of anglers were aware of the guidelines in 2013, and by 2015 36% had communicated the information to family or friends. However, anglers were often unwilling to reduce consumption of popular game species, despite high contaminant levels. Encouragingly, black anglers were most likely to supplement their diet with species lower in contaminants. Our results suggest that utilizing multiple educational strategies including reaching out directly to individual anglers may improve conscious consumption behavior among the targeted population, providing a template for educational campaigns to successfully target vulnerable populations.

Anglers' views on stock conservation: Sea bass angling in Ireland

Bottom-up approaches to natural resource management are considered to be more effective for conservation than traditional top-down approaches because the policy-making process is legitimised by stakeholders. In particular, when decisions are shared with direct users of the resource, compliance with the law may be achieved more easily and potential sources of conflict averted. However, empirical evidence on this topic is still limited. In this paper, it was investigated how recreational anglers perceive stricter legislation for sea bass fishing, using Ireland as case study. New legislation aims to limit harvest rates to restore a viable bass population following years of declining stocks. Data were collected by means of an angler survey and analysed with a seemingly unrelated ordered probit model. Results suggest that most respondents are willing to trade harvested fish for a healthier and long-term sustainable bass population, suggesting strong compliance with this new law.

Present condition and economic ripple effect of recreational smelt fishing in Misuzu Lake estimated by a questionnaire survey of anglers

Present condition and economic ripple effect of recreational smelt fishing in Misuzu Lake estimated by a questionnaire survey of anglers

The Influence of Angler Values, Involvement, Catch Orientation, Satisfaction, Agency Trust, and Demographics on Support for Habitat Protection and Restoration Versus Stocking in Publicly Managed Waters

Resource managers benefit from knowledge of angler support for fisheries management strategies. Factors including angler values (protection, utilitarian, and dominance), involvement (attraction, centrality, social, identity affirmation, and expression), catch-related motivations (catching some, many, and big fish, and keeping fish), satisfaction, agency trust, and demographics may relate to fisheries management preferences. Using results from a mail survey of Minnesota resident anglers, we explored how these factors were related to budget support for fish stocking relative to habitat protection/restoration. Results suggest that values, angler involvement, catch orientation, satisfaction, total and recent years fishing, age, and education influence relative support for stocking versus habitat protection/restoration. Utilitarian values, angling centrality, an orientation to catch many fish, satisfaction with the number of fish caught, number of recent years fishing, and age positively related to support for stocking over habitat management, while protection values, attraction to angling, total years fishing, and education level were negatively related to relative support for stocking.

Cluster-based multinomial logistic regression analysis of saltwater anglers' concerns of marine environmental threats

This study utilised cross-sectional data extracted from the 2013 national saltwater angler survey to examine saltwater anglers' concerns to the threats of marine environment, to identify groups exhibiting common patterns of responses, and to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and the groups identified. Concerns of marine environmental threats from these participants were examined through factor analysis which identified three reliable factors. Cluster analysis was employed to identify three prominent groups. Statistical tests were employed to investigate the association between socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender, income level, educational level, region of the respondent, and the saltwater angler groups identified. Results of this study may provide insight regarding the concerns of marine environmental threats from saltwater anglers as an indicator of potential participation and behaviour of saltwater recreational fishing activities.

Introduction to the Special Section on Recreation Surveys

Surveys to estimate characteristics associated with recreational activities in the United States are local, state-based, or national. While surveys of recreational fishing are well established, surveys to make estimates for populations such as visitors to recreation sites in the US National Forests or hikers on well-established trails are becoming more common. As described by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, creel or angler surveys are commonly conducted by state-based agencies to measure fish, determine the number of hours fished, and count boats, fish houses, recreational craft, etc. Nationally, the Marine Recreational Information Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is intended to “provide timely, scientifically sound estimates of recreational catch and effort that fishery managers, stock assessors, and marine scientists need to ensure the sustainability of ocean resources.” This is done by using a “suite of different surveys to capture recreational catch and effort from people who fish from the shore, private boat, for hire boats (including charter boats), headboats or party boats, and guide boats” (www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/recreational-fisheries/index).

Concurrently Assessing Survey Mode and Sample Size in Off‐Site Angler Surveys

AbstractOff‐site angler surveys are commonly administered via two or more survey modes in the form of a mixed‐mode survey. Mixed‐mode surveys allow survey administrators to attain the benefits inherent to different survey modes, reduce total survey error, and control survey cost. However, these benefits can only be simultaneously attained after undertaking sample size planning. Sample size planning is a trade‐off analysis wherein a researcher concurrently assesses survey administration cost, the accuracy and precision of estimates, the magnitude and direction of biases, and variance of the test statistic to determine an optimal sample size. We used data from an off‐site angler survey administered to anglers targeting White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus to illustrate a systematic approach to sample size planning. Our survey design included a mixed‐mode design with three survey modes (e‐mail, mail, and telephone) and a two‐phase sampling design that had a first contact and a follow‐up contact with a subsample of nonrespondents. Sample size planning was undertaken in the form of a sensitivity analysis wherein four survey design alternatives were simulated and assessed based on four criteria (i.e., bias, precision, accuracy, and cost). We also incorporated tests for nonresponse bias and survey mode effect. We found that (1) response rates were lower for e‐mail surveys (22%) than for mail surveys and telephone surveys (39–44%); (2) nonresponse bias did not have a substantial effect on survey estimates from the mixed‐mode design; and (3) estimates (total effort and total catch) from the mail and e‐mail survey modes were significantly different, indicating a survey mode effect. The high variability of anglers’ annual catch made survey estimates highly imprecise at lower sample sizes. The level of acceptable error varies for each study. Therefore, a systematic approach to sample size planning is necessary to determine the point where acceptable error is reached while considering multiple survey design alternatives.Received September 25, 2016; accepted April 24, 2017 Published online June 19, 2017

Awareness, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Barotrauma and Barotrauma Mitigation: A Survey of Florida Anglers

Saltwater recreational fishing is an important economic engine for Florida’s coastal communities. The annual economic impact to the Florida economy of saltwater recreational fishing, which sustains 110,000 jobs, is estimated to be $13 billion. Given the popularity and economic importance of reef fish, careful management of these fish stocks is imperative for the sustainability of the reef-fish resource. Barotrauma, a phenomenon that causes problems for deep-water fish caught and brought to the surface, is recognized by fishery managers as a key cause of death in “catch-and-release” reef fish. This 5-page fact sheet describes a recent survey of Florida saltwater anglers and sheds light on incentives for and constraints against the use of barotrauma mitigation devices. Written by Charles Adams, Joy Hazell, Lisa Krimsky, Bryan Fluech, Betty Staugler, John Stevely, and Robert Botta, and published by Food and Resource Economics Department, March 2017. FE1010/FE1010: Awareness, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Barotrauma and Barotrauma Mitigation: A Survey of Florida Anglers (ufl.edu)

Implementing participatory monitoring in river management: The role of stakeholders' perspectives and incentives

Involving local stakeholders in monitoring has the potential to stimulate learning and improve management responses. However, there is limited understanding about factors which influence implementation and success. This paper reviews local stakeholders' perceptions with respect to the construction of longitudinal dams in the Dutch river Waal, and explores their incentives to be involved in monitoring the effects of this intervention. Interviews with key stakeholders showed that concerns and (dis)trust are important incentives for participating in monitoring. Surveys of local residents, recreational anglers and boaters, and shipping professionals mapped their level of trust, attachment to the river landscape and evaluation of the effects of the longitudinal dams. Our case study shows that incentives for participation differ between stakeholder groups, and that research into their perceptions of the local environment can inform water managers on how to involve these groups in participatory monitoring.

Profiling the Importance of Fishing Trips of Saltwater Anglers: A Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis

Using data collected from the 2013 National Saltwater Angler Survey, this study examined respondents' answers to fifteen statements regarding the importance of fishing trips to discern patterns from individuals' preferences, to classify groups exhibiting common patterns of responses, and to identify the determinants of respondent groups. These statements were condensed into five dimensions using the principal components analysis. Empirical results based on the two-stage cluster analysis identified three groups of respondents. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and cluster memberships. Results of this study may provide insight into the understanding of the importance of fishing trips among saltwater anglers for saltwater recreational fishing planning and management purposes.

Voice, Perceived Fairness, Agency Trust, and Acceptance of Management Decisions Among Minnesota Anglers

ABSTRACTAlthough researchers agree that public participation in natural resource decision making is critical to institutional acceptance by stakeholders and the general public, the processes to gain public perceptions of fairness, agency trust, and acceptance of management decisions are not clear. Using results from a mail survey of Minnesota resident anglers, we used structural equation modeling to examine how instrumental versus symbolic motives related to anglers’ perceptions of agency fairness, trustworthiness, and ultimately acceptance of fisheries management decisions. We applied laboratory research on relationships among procedural fairness, trust, and management acceptance, and then tested models incorporating anglers’ perceptions of voice for anglers and nonanglers in management decisions. Results suggested that trust fully mediated the relationship between procedural fairness and management acceptance. Angler perceptions of angler and nonangler voice both related to views of procedural fairness, but angler voice was more strongly related and was also significantly related to acceptance of management decisions.

Comparing the utility of fishery‐independent and fishery‐dependent methods in assessing the relative abundance of estuarine fish species in partial protection areas

AbstractIn partial protection management areas such as Recreational Fishing Havens (RFHs) where commercial fishing is prohibited there are fewer sampling methods available for quantifying the relative abundance of species. Consequently, a framework is needed in such areas to decide whether sampling should be based on: (1) fishery‐independent techniques; (2) fishery‐dependent methods that rely on recreational fishery harvests; or (3) a combination of the two. This study compared fishery‐independent data derived from baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) and independent fishing surveys (IFS) with fishery‐dependent data based on recreational angler surveys (AS) to identify the fish species that were best enumerated by each method in two Australian RFHs. Each method captured/detected disparate species and each consistently showed correlations with the relative abundance of particular suites of species. The species that were correlated with and best enumerated by BRUVS were Microcanthus strigatus (Cuvier) and Pelates sexlineatus (Qouy & Gaimard); those correlated with IFS were Gerres subfasciatus Cuvier, Girella tricuspidata (Qouy & Gaimard), Mugil cephalus L. and Pomatomus saltatrix (L.); and those correlated with AS were Platycephalus fuscus Cuvier and Acanthopagrus australis (Owen). By identifying the species that were best quantified by each method, this study facilitates accurate monitoring of key species within RFHs.

Assessing the effectiveness of harvest tags in the management of a small-scale, iconic marine recreational fishery in Western Australia

Fisheries managers are increasingly required to develop regulatory frameworks to more effectively manage recreational catches in the marine environment. Although the limitations of conventional controls such as size and bag limits and restricted seasons are recognized, harvest tags that are commonly used to regulate hunting, are rarely applied in marine recreational fisheries. Following overfishing of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in Shark Bay, Western Australia, a broad range of management reforms were progressively introduced from 1998 onwards to limit recreational catches and assist stock recovery. Since 2003, these included a harvest tag system in Freycinet Estuary whereby a limited number of harvest tags were made available each year via a ballot. The effectiveness of harvest tags in terms of stock rebuilding and acceptance by recreational fishers was evaluated using: annual phone surveys of all harvest tag recipients between 2011 and 2013; analysis of compliance statistics collected between 2004 and 2015; and interviews with experienced compliance officers. The overall costs of administration and compliance were also assessed. The capacity of harvest tags to successfully constrain the total annual recreational catch contributed to the recovery of the snapper stock in Freycinet Estuary to management target levels within a 10–12 year timeframe. The majority of harvest tag recipients interviewed considered harvest tags were effective in the management of snapper; cost per tag was reasonable; and compliance in the fishery was high. High levels of compliance are essential if harvest tags are to provide a robust management tool to limit total catch and a useful reference frame for angler surveys. Harvest tags have considerable potential with other marine recreational fisheries where catch limits are required to rebuild and sustain valuable but vulnerable fish stocks.

Understanding Constraints and Facilitators to Salmon Angling Participation: Insights from Structural Equation Modeling

ABSTRACTAtlantic salmon sport fisheries have declined remarkably in many countries and participation seems to correlate with salmon abundance. We investigated angling participation in the Atlantic salmon sport fishery in Norwegian rivers by incorporating facilitators for participation in a constraint–negotiation model. We conducted an Internet survey of Norwegian anglers yielding 3,635 responses (40% response rate). The structural model confirmed our hypotheses and supported the conceptual constraints-effects-mitigation model of leisure constraint negotiation. Of the constraints and facilitators investigated, the structural constraints and facilitators subcategory “quality of fishing” exerted the largest influence on angling participation. The influence of constraints and facilitators was mitigated by use of corresponding negotiation strategies where “skills, knowledge, and money,” and different substitution strategies were important. To increase participation, we suggest increasing salmon abundance, offering longer fishing stretches per angler, and providing better information about where to book salmon angling.

Measuring the Relationship between Sportfishing Trip Expenditures and Anglers’ Species Preferences

AbstractWe examined the relationship between fishing trip expenditures and anglers’ species preferences from a survey of Oklahoma resident anglers conducted in 2014. Understanding patterns in fishing trip expenditures is important because a significant share of state wildlife agency revenue comes from taxes on purchases of fishing equipment. Presently, there is little research that addresses the question of how spending levels vary within groups of sportspersons, including anglers. We used regression analysis to identify a relationship between trip spending and several preference variables, and included controls for other characteristics of fishing trips, such as location, party size, and duration. We received 780 surveys for a response rate of 26%, but only 506 were useable due to missing data or nonfishing responses. Average trip expenditures were approximately US$140, regardless of species preferences, but anglers who preferred to fish for trout and black bass tended to spend more than those who preferred to fish for catfish and panfish. These results were even more pronounced when location was considered, those who last fished at lakes spending more than those who fished at rivers or ponds. The results underscore the differences in spending among anglers with different preferred species and fishing locations.Received September 18, 2015; accepted March 9, 2016 Published online June 27, 2016

Comprehension of Fish Consumption Guidelines Among Older Male Anglers in Wisconsin.

Although awareness of Wisconsin's fish consumption guidelines is high among older male anglers, little is known about comprehension of guideline content, and many anglers have levels of contaminants high enough to be associated with adverse health outcomes. The Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supported evaluation and revision of Wisconsin's fish consumption guideline program, using a web based survey of male Wisconsin anglers over the age of 50. A total of 3740 men completed the online survey; the median age of respondents was 62 years, and nearly all had lived and fished in Wisconsin for over 10 years. Comprehension of guideline content was relatively high, although two knowledge gaps were identified, one relating to mercury exposures and fish preparation, and the other to polychlorinated biphenyl content of certain fish species. The fishing regulations booklet distributed with annual fishing licenses and warning signs posted at fishing locations were commonly reported sources of guideline information in Wisconsin. Residents of coastal counties and consumers of Great Lakes fish were more likely to report guideline knowledge and behavior changes reflective of guideline knowledge, when compared to inland residents and those not consuming Great Lakes fish, respectively. In general, Wisconsin's consumption guidelines do not appear to discourage men from eating the fish they catch; rather, the most common behavioral changes included modifying the species eaten or the water body source of their meals. Continued efforts to educate anglers about the risks and benefits of fish consumption are needed.