Understanding the heterogeneity of recreational anglers across an urban–rural gradient in a metropolitan area (Berlin, Germany), with implications for fisheries management

Increasing urbanization world-wide challenges recreational fisheries management due to its negative impact on angling participation rates. To be prepared to confront this challenge, a better understanding of the human dimensions of urban and rural angler groups is needed. Based on a mail survey, this paper describes the differences in demographics, participation, satisfactions and management preferences among four segments of anglers across an urban–rural gradient of Berlin, Germany. Angler segments included: rural residents, suburban residents, urban residents who fished only in rural areas, and urban residents who also fished in urban areas. Urban residents who fished urban fisheries were the most committed and avid anglers, whereas urban residents who fished rural fisheries were least committed. Urban and rural residents differed in species preferences and catch and harvest levels. Angler satisfaction was related to the catch aspects of the fishing experience irrespective of the place of residence, but individual satisfaction components differently affected angling-year satisfaction in urban and rural anglers. Most anglers perceived stocking to be the most promising approach for improving angling conditions. To promote the fishing experience of urban residents, managers could increase catch opportunities and relax the current ban on night fishing in Berlin. However, given the large out-of-the-city angling effort of urban residents, rural fisheries managers need to consider urban people as important users of rural fisheries. Urban residents who fish exclusively outside the city represent a unique target market for rural fisheries as these anglers are highly mobile and willing to spend large amounts of money, while at the same time catching less fish than rural residents or urban anglers.