An overview of recreational fisheries in the U.K.: resources, threats and management

Winfield, Ian J.. 2013 An overview of recreational fisheries in the U.K.: resources, threats and management. In: Liu, Yadan, (ed.) Proceedings of the 3rd China (Xiamen) International Recreational Fisheries Forum. Beijing, China Society of Fisheries, 134-142.

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Abstract/Summary

The island nature of the U.K. has led to it having a long history of commercial marine fisheries, with associated recreational fishing along and near to its extensive shoreline. In addition, an abundance of fresh waters provides extensive recreational fishing on rivers and lakes where catch-and-release is prevalent. Here, an overview is presented of these fisheries by describing their main features and then considering their historic and current threats and management. In the marine environment, a wide range of fish species is targeted but the Orders Gadiformes, Perciformes and Pleuronectiformes are particularly important. Far fewer species are available for exploitation in fresh waters, but the Orders Cypriniformes, Perciformes and Salmoniformes are fished extensively. In total, the U.K. has in excess of 3,000,000 recreational anglers. Significant environmental threats include physical habitat modification, acidification, chemical pollution, eutrophication, endocrine disrupters, nanoparticles, species introductions and climate change. Great scientific and management advances have been made such that most of the required aquatic biological management activities are now based on mature science and are in many cases now largely operational matters. In addition, the work of the U.K. statutory bodies for fisheries is increasingly supplemented by the efforts of more independent groups, including through citizen science. Ecosystem-based management is now commonplace and activities have expanded above and away from the water to include the management of anglers and other members of society. The U.K.’s recreational fisheries continue to face substantial challenges, but there are also substantial grounds for great optimism for their future.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.4 - Provide science-based advice ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Parr
Additional Keywords:	angling, England, environmental threats, fisheries management, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	19 Nov 2013 11:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/503889

Item Type:

Publication - Book Section

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.4 - Provide science-based advice ...

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Parr

Additional Keywords:

angling, England, environmental threats, fisheries management, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment

Date made live:

19 Nov 2013 11:43 +0 (UTC)