Searching for Subsistence: In the Field in Pursuit of an Elusive Concept in Small-scale Fisheries

Macinko, Seth; Schumann, Sarah

doi:10.1577/1548-8446(2007)32[592:sfstfi]2.0.co;2

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The most frequently preferred species to catch was striped bass (M. saxatilis) (17 out of 28). Clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) were second (6). Tied for third were fluke (P. dentatus) (5) and bluefish (P. saltatrix) (also 5 including a few anglers who expressed a preference for (juvenile) snapper blues).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As Schumann and Macinko note, the little that does exist is focused primarily on Alaska and the Arctic [5]. The limited studies that have been conducted in other places did not find much identification or familiarity with the concept of subsistence [6,7]. Most subjects in these studies seemed to identify as recreational fishermen, although some acknowledge fishing for food or income.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fishing for food: piloting an exploration of the invisible subsistence harvest of coastal resources in Connecticut

Ebbin

2017

Agric & Food Secur

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Background: In Connecticut, the subsistence harvest of coastal and marine resources, with the explicit goal of consuming what is collected or caught, is counted and regulated as recreational fishing. Little information exists regarding the harvest and use of these resources. It is not known how the catch is distributed, processed, how much is consumed or by whom. This research was conducted as a service learning opportunity for students in an undergraduate course on Marine Fisheries Economics and Policy offered at the University of Connecticut. This research was produced for fisheries managers at the Marine Fisheries Division of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) who desired more information on the nature of subsistence fisheries including a characterization of participating harvesters and the extent of harvesters' knowledge regarding a new enhanced shore-based fishing program that allows higher catch limits for certain species. Within the framework of the course, students developed and executed a survey of coastal fishermen to assess the extent of subsistence harvesting and consumption of coastal resources, including fish, shellfish, algae and plants, demographic information on harvesters and the extent and source of their knowledge regarding fishing regulations and health advisories. Results:The majority of respondents consume their harvests and also share it with others. None sold their harvest. Of those who consumed their harvest, most consumed at least one meal a month. An overwhelming majority of respondents share their harvest with people living in their household. Despite high levels of consumption by Connecticut harvesters, less than half of respondents had heard of the term "subsistence fishing. " The dissemination of information within the fishing community appears to be largely successful, as nearly all respondents were aware of the fishing regulations and health advisories and how to obtain the information if they needed to find it. The main sources of information are signs at fishing sites and the CTDEEP Web site. However, only half of respondents were aware of the new Enhanced Opportunity Shore Fishing Program, perhaps because of its newness. Most surveying was conducted in southeastern Connecticut and captured little demographic diversity. Conclusions:Harvesters of Connecticut's marine and coastal resources appear to lack familiarity with the concept of subsistence, and few consider their activities to be subsistence-based. However, most consider the provision of food to be an important reason driving their participation, either directly consuming or sharing their harvests with others to consume. The harvest of marine resources for subsistence may not be labeled as such, counted rather as recreational catch. It may not be quantified or visible to regulators, but it certainly exists. It fills a provisioning role within the overarching cash-based economy and also affords individuals the opportunity to engage in a pleasurable and relaxing activity that...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fishing for food: piloting an exploration of the invisible subsistence harvest of coastal resources in Connecticut

Ebbin

2017

Agric & Food Secur

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“…Importantly, the definition of recreational fishing stipulates that fish caught must not represent the dominant source of protein in the fisher's diet (see Introduction). Yet, this suggests that on the scale of angling behaviours (ranging from total harvest to total catch‐and‐release), there may be fishers who, while not catching sufficient amounts of fish to constitute their main source of dietary protein, still subsidize their overall diet in a significant way (Macinko & Schumann, ). This may be particularly relevant to any segment of the angling population where food or employment insecurity is high, for example low‐income recreational anglers or anglers living in highly food‐insecure areas.…”

Section: Motivations For Fishing and Personal Consumption Of Self‐caumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…largemouth bass [ Micropterus salmoides, Centrarchidae] angling in the United States), a portion of recreational anglers (e.g. specific ethnic groups; Toth & Brown, or selected saltwater fisheries) fish entirely for consumptive reasons (Macinko & Schumann, ). By contrast, there are locally relevant recreational fishing techniques in some countries, for example bow fishing for common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) in the United States, where fishes are indeed harvested but usually discarded dead and not eaten; the reason simply relates to cultural nuances as to which species are considered good to eat or a nuisance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The nexus of fun and nutrition: Recreational fishing is also about food

et al. 2017

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Recreational fishing is a popular activity in aquatic ecosystems around the globe using a variety of gears including rod and line and to a lesser extent handlines, spears, bow and arrow, traps and nets. Similar to the propensity to engage in voluntary catch‐and‐release, the propensity to harvest fishes strongly varies among cultures, locations, species and fisheries. There is a misconception that because recreational fishing happens during non‐work (i.e. leisure) time, the nutritional motivation is negligible; therefore, the role of recreational fishing in supporting nutrition (and thus food security) at regional, national or global scales is underappreciated. We consider the factors that influence whether fish will be harvested or released by examining the motives that underlie recreational fishing. Next, we provide an overview of the magnitude and role of recreational fishing harvest in supporting nutrition using regional case‐studies. Then, we address issues such as contaminants and parasites that constrain the ability of fish harvested by recreational fishers to be consumed. Although recreational fishing is foremost a leisure activity, the harvest of fish for personal consumption by recreational fishers has contributed and will continue to contribute to human nutrition by providing an accessible, affordable and generally highly sustainable food source, notwithstanding concerns about food safety and possibly overfishing. Attempts to better quantify the role of fish harvested by recreational fishers and the relative contribution to overall food security and personal nutrition will provide resource managers and policymakers the information needed to guide management activities and policy development.

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“…recreational rod and line angling vs recreational gill netting, which is an important recreational fishing activity in some countries [Salmi et al 2008]), does not preclude the catch being taken for personal consumption (as long as the catch does not become the primary resource to meet essential physiological needs), does not discriminate against non‐Western cultures, but does discriminate commercial and purely subsistence fishing from recreational fishing. It is acknowledged that the unambiguous demarcation between pure recreational fisheries and pure subsistence fisheries is impossible because many recreational fishers have strong subsistence‐like incentives to harvest fish (Macinko & Schumann 2007). However, using fishing activity to generate resources for livelihoods marks a clear differentiation between recreational fisheries and pure subsistence fisheries, and, as a rule, recreational fishers have the capacity to substitute the products of their fishing experience by other products to meet nutritional needs.…”

Section: Defining Recreational Fishingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Providing context to the global code of practice for recreational fisheries

Arlinghaus¹,

Cooke²,

Cowx³

2010

Fisheries Management Eco

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An in-depth explanation of selected content of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory CommissionÕs ÔCode of Practice for Recreational FisheriesÕ (CoP) is presented. The focus is on core areas that were intensely debated in the drafting the CoP. These include definition of recreational fishing, recreational fishing practices, fish welfare, recreational fisheries management and research. It is anticipated that the CoP for recreational fisheries promotes best practice and management principles for sustainable recreational fisheries, within the recreational fisheries sector and ancillary industries/sectors regionally, nationally, and ultimately globally. To be viable, the CoP for recreational fisheries must be adopted by the international community complementing the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

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Searching for Subsistence: In the Field in Pursuit of an Elusive Concept in Small-scale Fisheries

Cited by 9 publications

References 2 publications

Fishing for food: piloting an exploration of the invisible subsistence harvest of coastal resources in Connecticut

Fishing for food: piloting an exploration of the invisible subsistence harvest of coastal resources in Connecticut

The nexus of fun and nutrition: Recreational fishing is also about food

Providing context to the global code of practice for recreational fisheries

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