Robert Arlinghaus gives an insight into the work he and his colleagues are doing to put the management of recreational fisheries on a more scientific footing.
MOST of the readers of this newsletter are fascinated by fish and are eager to unravel secrets about the ecology and evolution of fish populations. However, many fish “maniacs” have joined the fish biologist profession because they like fishing! Interestingly, despite the fact that millions of people fish for recreation feeding a multi-billion fishing industry, the scientific study of recreational fishing is poorly developed. In fact, it is in its infancy in many areas of the world. This is hardly understandable given the potential of anglers to negatively affect fish populations and entire ecosystems through overharvest, introduction of non-native fishes and potentially detrimental stocking practices.