Frontiers in modelling social–ecological dynamics of recreational fisheries: A review and synthesis

Abstract

Recreational fisheries are culturally and economically important around the world. Recent research emphasizes that understanding and managing these systems requires a social–ecological perspective. We systematically reviewed quantitative social–ecological models of marine and freshwater recreational fisheries to summarize their conceptualization of social, ecological, and social–ecological dynamics and identify research frontiers. From a candidate set of 626 studies published between 1975 and 2018, 49 met criteria for inclusion in our review. These studies, though diverse in terms of focal species and processes considered, were geographically limited to a few locations and ignored large regions of the globe where recreational fishing is important. There were also important gaps in the social and ecological processes that were included in published models. Reflecting on these patterns in the context of previous conceptual frameworks, we define five key frontiers for future work: 1) exploring the implications of social and behavioural processes like heuristics, social norms, and information sharing for angler decisions and fishery dynamics; 2) modelling governance with more realistic complexity; 3) incorporating ideas from resilience thinking and complex adaptive systems, including slow variables, destabilizing feedbacks, surprises and diversity; 4) considering key ideas in fisheries systems, including spatial and temporal effort dynamics, catch hyperstability, and stocking; and 5) thinking synthetically about the models that we use to describe social–ecological dynamics in recreational fisheries, via explicit comparisons and formal integration with data. Exploration of these frontiers, while remembering the distinction between model complexity and model usefulness, will improve our ability to understand and sustain recreational fisheries.

Celebrating 75 Years of Wisconsin’s Northern Highland Fishery Research Area: The Past, Present, and Future

“…Long‐term data, such as that collected at the NHFRA over its 75‐year history, serves as one of the cornerstones of ecosystem‐based fisheries management (Carpenter 1998). The compulsory creel census and associated engagement with anglers’ aids in the recognition and understanding of recreational fisheries as social–ecological systems (Solomon et al 2020). Using core theoretical ecological, ecosystem‐based, and applied fisheries management principles, the NHFRA looks forward to continuing to add to its 75‐year legacy of research and training to inform science‐based decision making for fisheries management and in preparing generations of new fisheries professionals.…”

Survey‐Derived Angler Characteristics and Perspectives in the Shore‐Based Shark Fishery in Florida

“…Furthermore, understanding angler preferences within a fishery can support effective management of socialecological systems (e.g., shore-based shark fishing) as policies may gain higher acceptance rates should they align with angler interests (Fisher 1997;Connelly et al 2001;Solomon et al 2020). Among our sample population, the similarity of the three angler types relative to preferences, behaviors, and attitudes could present both positive and negative outcomes for the management of the fishery should this finding be reflective of the entire shore-based shark fishery.…”

Ocean‐scale footprint of a highly mobile fishing fleet: Social‐ecological drivers of fleet behaviour and evidence of illegal fishing

“…However, research now increasingly recognises the importance of other social factors such as social networks or traditions and expertise of fishers (Belhabib & Le Billon, 2020;Béné & Tewfik, 2001;Klain & Chan, 2012;van Putten et al, 2012). Accordingly, fisheries and conservation research increasingly advocates for better integration of broader social factors (Fulton et al, 2011;Solomon et al, 2020).…”