A Framework For Science-Based Management Of Marine Recreational Fisheries In Norway

Informations

Funding country

Norway

Acronym

-

URL

-

Start date

1/1/2017

End date

12/31/2021

Budget

886,830 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

Through this three-year project, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), in collaboration with NINA, Akvaplan-niva, NMBU, Nordland Research, and international partners, developed methods to quantify catches and increase knowledge about socio-economic aspects of marine recreational fishing (MRF)in Norway. We have tested common on-site and off-site survey methods for MRF applied internationally. MRF in Norway consists of two main components:(1) Recreational sea fishing performed by residents, and (2) tourist fishing where foreign or Norwegian tourists fish from a fish camp, cottage, or other residence away from home. It is challenging to survey Norwegian the MRF since fishing takes place anywhere along the coast, all year long, and with different fishing gears. In addition, there is no register of recreational fishers, with the exception of lobster fishing. With regard to tourist fishing, the Directorate of Fisheries has established a register of fishing tourist companies that covers the majority of organized tourist fishing. To characterize MRF, a national phone survey was conducted by Opinion Research for this project. A stratified random sample of almost 40,000 residents (16 years +) from the National Population Registry was called. In total, around 7,500 persons were interviewed, and around 300 active fishers reported their catches in diaries over 12 months. In addition, we conducted field surveys by boat quarterly over 12 months to map MRF in Troms, Hordaland, and the Oslofjord. More than 1,000 persons were interviewed in the field. We also conducted a national web survey of residents recruited in the telephone and field surveys to gain data on the socio-economic dimensions of MRF in Norway. In addition, we performed a sample survey of tourist fishing in Troms and Hordaland based on the tourist business registry, as well as a national survey of the lobster fishery, based on the mandatory enrollment registry. Our surveys show that tourist fishers staying in registered tourist fishing businesses in Troms and Hordaland account for around half the rod and line catches in MRF. In the Oslofjord, there is little tourist fishing compared to recreational fishing by residents of Norway. The study also shows that recreational fishing by residents represent a substantial fishing effort with standing gears, such as gillnets and traps, particularly in Hordaland and the Oslofjord. Foreign fishing tourists are not allowed to use fixed gear. In northern Norway, the catches by tourist fishers and permanent residents who fished from boats with hand-held gear were dominated by cod and saithe, while mackerel and saithe dominate the catches in southern Norway. A large proportion of the catch in MRF is released, but the release rates vary with species. We estimated that rod and line fishing from boat can account for landings of around 2,000 tonnes of cod in Troms alone. Catchtes with fixed gears such as gillnets, pots, and longline, come in addition. In Troms, 252 tonnes of cod were delivered by recreational fishers to official landing facilities in 2019. Our results suggest that the annual cod quota of 7,000 tonnes set aside for leisure, youth - and tourist fishing north of 62? does not cover the total catch in these segments. Our surveys confirm that MRF is a popular outdoors leisure activity in Norway. The fishers are very diverse in terms of interests, skills and choice of fishing methods. More women participate in MFR than in other forms of recreational fishing in Norway (salmon fishing, etc.). MRF also attracts many people who are permanent residents in Norway, but who are born elsewhere. MRF represent a number of benefits to those participating, primarily from nature experience, relaxation and socializing with family and friends, but also catch-related aspects such as food supply, preservation of fishing- and food traditions and excitement. Our research shows that recreational fishers generally have little knowledge of current regulations, such as minimum sizes for species such as cod and sea trout. Most people who fish along the coast of southern and eastern Norway are concerned about the situation for coastal cod, and a majority of these are positive about the regulations for cod protection that the authorities have introduced in the Oslo Fjord. Fishermen's lack of knowledge of current rules for recreational fishing is a significant challenge that the fisheries authorities must take seriously when introducing new regulations. The project has contributed to increased knowledge about MRF in Norway, and it provides a basis for establishing a regime for time series of catches in MRF. Such knowledge and future monitoring are important for a sustainable management of resources. The project also fills some knowledge-gaps about the socio-economic dimensions of MRF in Norway. This is important because the activity represents important ecosystem services and contributes to value creation and employment in rural areas.