COVID-19 restrictions and recreational fisheries in Ontario, Canada: Preliminary insights from an online angler survey

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding public health mitigation strategies have altered many facets of human life. And yet, little is known about how public health measures have impacted complex socio-ecological systems such as recreational fisheries. Using a web-based online snowball survey, we targeted resident anglers in Ontario, Canada, to obtain preliminary insight on how the pandemic has impacted recreational fishing and related activity. We also explored angler perspectives on pandemic-related restrictions and other aspects of fisheries management. Our results point to the value of recreational fisheries for the mental and physical well-being of participants, as well as the value and popularity of outdoor recreation during a pandemic. Although angling effort and fish consumption appeared to decline during the early phases of the pandemic, approximately 20% of the anglers who responded to our survey selfidentified as new entrants who had begun or resumed fishing in that time. Self-reported motivations to fish during the pandemic suggest that free time, importance to mental and physical health, and desires for self-sufficiency caused some anglers to fish more, whereas a lack of free time, poor or uncertain accessibility, and perceived risks caused some anglers to fish less. Respondents also expressed their desires for more clear and consistent communication about COVID-19 fishing restrictions from governments, and viewed angling as a safe pandemic activity. Information on recreational angler behaviours, motivations, and perspectives during the pandemic may prove valuable to fisheries managers and policy makers looking to optimize their strategies for facing this and other similar crises.

First Assessment of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Marine Recreational Fisheries

“…As a result of restrictions affecting access to the fishery, recreational fishers in general, and especially advanced fishers, showed lower physical activity and lower fish consumption. Recent studies on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different recreational activities also showed results like those found in our study; e.g., Howarth et al (2021) noted that fish consumption was lower among recreational fishers during the pandemic, while Curtis et al (2021) concluded that the physical activity of the population decreased. Consequently, it is not surprising that the fishers surveyed in this study reported poor night rest, worse mood, and concerns about their health condition, especially in the case of advanced fishers.…”

“…Individual outdoor leisure activities facilitate social distancing and indirectly mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Güzel et al, 2020), especially when practiced in natural areas (Venter et al, 2020). In this work, as also found by other authors (e.g., Howarth et al, 2021), we show that the practice of marine recreational fishing improves the perceived health and wellbeing of the population during a pandemic. Allowing access of marine recreational fishers would significantly contribute to reducing important socioeconomic impacts, especially on the most vulnerable population groups.…”

From backyards to the backcountry: Exploring outdoor recreation coping strategies and experiences during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand

“…The impact of the pandemic on outdoor recreation globally has been substantial. Across the world, government restrictions on activity and movement such as social distancing requirements, border closures and stay-at-home orders have limited citizens’ opportunities to interact with others and the world around them ( Geng, Innes, Wu, & Wang, 2021 ; Howarth et al, 2021 ). Recent studies on how COVID-19 pandemics induce recreation coping strategies have documented change in recreation patterns that includes change of frequency, activity types, activity settings and distances travelled to recreate (Humagain & Singleton, 2021; Kane, Zajchowski, Allen, McLeod, & Allen, 2021; Sivan, 2020).…”

“…Despite restrictions on activity and movement, there is evidence in the literature that outdoor recreation activity may have actually increased during lockdown measures related to COVID-19 ( Derks, Giessen, & Winkel, 2020 ; Geng et al, 2021 ; Korpilo et al, 2021 ; London Legacy Development Corporation, 2020 ). A number of studies in Europe, the United States and Canada have investigated outdoor recreation, physical activity and park visitation in and around periods of restriction due to COVID-19 ( London Legacy Development Corporation, 2020 ; Derks et al, 2020 ; Geng et al, 2021 ; Howarth et al, 2021 ; Landry, Bergstrom, Salazar, & Turner, 2021 ; Lesser & Nienhuis, 2020 ; London Legacy Development; Rice et al, 2020 ). One study of a forest park in Germany found that during a period of lockdown, visitor numbers more than doubled the previous daily record ( Derks et al, 2020 ).…”

“…There is also evidence of new uptake in outdoor recreation during periods of restriction. A Canadian survey of recreational fishing found that 21% of respondents self-identified as new entrants who had begun or resumed fishing during the pandemic ( Howarth et al, 2021 ).…”