A report by Cefas on the future development and management of recreational sea angling using data from interviews and online surveys. Sea anglers were motivated by both catching fish and the quality of the environment in which they fish. Over two-thirds of respondents said that they were willing to provide catch and participation data in future through surveys. The biggest perceived threats to fish stocks were damage to habitats (91% ‘important’ or ‘very important’), overfishing by commercial operators (99% ‘important’ or ‘very important’), and pollution (92%‘important’ or ‘very important’)
Respondents felt that current regulations on commercial fishing were less effective than those applied to recreational angling. For example, 63% felt that the Minimum Landing Size for sea bass was effective in recreational angling, but only 53% thought this was the case in commercial fishing, with only 18% thinking it was ‘very effective’. Qualitative responses and interviews suggested that more conservation zones, recreation-only zones, better enforcement and education, and banning damaging fishing methods should be prioritised in future management
Future management needs to balance the interests and value of recreational sea angling with other sectors, notably the commercial fishing sector. Improving environmental conditions and fish stocks is important in retaining the support of recreational sea anglers, by involving them in data collection and support for some funding measures. There is potential to increase knowledge of sea anglers about management measures and involve them in data collection more.