Sociological, Economic, and Biological Aspects of Competitive Fishing

Abstract

Competitive fishing is a large and growing use of fishery resources that offers benefits and creates problems for fishery managers. Successful integration of competitive fishing with noncompetitive anglers and other aquatic resource users will require current and comprehensive data about competitive fishing events and additional information about sociological aspects, economic values, and biological effects of competitive fishing. In this paper we summarize available sociological, economic, and biological information about competitive fishing and suggest directions for future research. We suggest a permit system to obtain needed data about competitive fishing events and minimize social and biological problems associated with them. Competitive fishing provides communication channels between fishery managers and anglers. Integration of competitive fishing with other aquatic resource uses will require effective communication programs.

Hooking mortality: A review for recreational fisheries

“…Evaluation of tournament-related mortalities suggests that 18 to 20°C is within the upper end of the thermal preference range for largemouth bass (Schramm et al, 1985) and smallmouth bass (Bennett et al, 1989). Mortality can be mitigated through live-release tournaments, and by reduction of tournament size, duration, and day length (Schramm et al, 1991b). …”

Dispersal and population-level mortality of Micropterus salmoides associated with catch and release tournament angling in a South African reservoir

“…Angling tournaments are an increasingly popular recreational activity (Wilde, 2003;Driscoll et al, 2007Driscoll et al, , 2012Schramm and Hunt, 2007) that impose additional stressors on fish populations through their potential for increased removal of fish in localised areas and the continual selection for larger fish by anglers, which may influence population dynamics and ultimately alter the genetic stock structure (Meals and Miranda, 1994;Quinn, 1996;Wilde, 1998Wilde, , 2003Cooke et al, 2000;Wilde and Paulson, 2003). As a result, live fish weigh in and release has long been mandatory in some tournament fisheries, particularly those focussing on black bass (Micropterus) species (Clark, 1983;Schramm et al, 1991;Quinn, 1996).…”

“…Specialised recreational fisheries developed following their introduction, and black bass tournaments are now a popular recreational activity not only in North America (Schramm et al, 1991;Schramm and Hunt, 2007;Driscoll et al, 2012) but also in many other countries. For example, the 2013 black bass fishing world championships were held in Spain, and competing teams represented Russia, Croatia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Swaziland and South Africa (FIPSed, 2013).…”

“…Catch and release, a typical tournament policy in the USA since the 1970s (Clark, 1983;Schramm et al, 1991;Quinn, 1996), is also common practise in black bass tournaments around the world. Competitors keep fish alive because anglers bringing in dead fish are penalised.…”

Effects of Tournament Compared with Catch and Release Angling on Nest Abandonment of Largemouth Bass

“…Of particular concern is the effect of angling on spawning success of largemouth bass and how this can influence recruitment (Schramm et al 1991;Philipp et al 1997;Siepker et al 2007;Siepker et al 2009). Male largemouth bass are aggressive and vulnerable to angling in the spring while guarding nests (Colgan and Brown 1988;Philipp et al 1997;Cooke et al 2002a;, and they will guard a nest and young for up to 4 weeks (Brown 1984;Colgan and Brown 1988).…”