The international review of recreational fisheries presented at the Consultation was based on 15 European and American country review papers, replies to a questionnaire sent to 35 countries (20 were returned), and letters sent to numerous directors of fisheries in Latin America, Africa and selected Asian countries. The country review papers will be published together with some subject reviews and experience papers submitted at the Consultation. The main conclusion derived from the information collected is that few, if any, countries are satisfied with their current recreational fisheries statistics. The reasons are that fisheries responsibilities are generally divided, separately managed, and reported according to predominant use. Very few countries could summarize their overall fishery situations by stating, for instance, something like this: “In 1979 the value of all fishery output added up to X percent of national income in terms of sales of fish, the value of the recreational fishery enjoyed, and the resource rents and other income generated”.
The review revealed that an amazing amount of information on recreational fisheries is available, and is being developed. Within the framework of their own fishery endowments, 11 countries were able to provide some data on all the basic uses of their fisheries. Another nine indicated that surveys were planned or that the responsibility for recreational data was vested in another agency. Lack of data and variations in the composition of data preclude the development of meaningful international (catch, effort and harvest) totals. Too much of the information provided was based on special and limited purpose surveys covering different time periods and too often based on unique administrative definitions and concepts.
There was, however, no doubt left concerning the great size and importance of recreational fisheries in the countries reported whether in terms of the economic activity generated, the numbers of resident and tourist anglers or the contribution made to food supply, or the quality of life. In five countries, all with an ocean commercial fishery, the gross economic activity of their recreational fisheries either approached or exceeded that of their commercial fisheries. In at least six countries the percentage of the population reported angling each year ranged between 9 and 25 percent. The importance of recreational fisheries in terms of economic activity, food production and other benefits, can best be appreciated by a study of the individual country review papers.
The survey and the country review papers underlined the problems as well as the positive aspects with respect to recreational fishery data development.
The development of internationally comparable recreational fishery data is difficult because of the innate problem of devising a system to reach all the millions of recreational fishermen in both fresh and salt waters. In addition, there is a remarkable diversity in fishing waters, in the conditions of these waters for fisheries, in the species available, and in the complex mix of social, economic and institutional factors shaping the role and status of recreational fisheries. The starting point for developing recreational fishery data requires recognition of the unique mix of site, fishery and angler-specific circumstances that prevail in each country. Although recreational fishing is a discretionary human want, when backed with money this want translates into demand which, directly or indirectly, underpins fishery resource economic values and the statistics relating to them.
Despite the differences in site, species and circumstances among inland recreational fisheries, there are common characteristics in the sport fisheries which are just as amenable to management analysis and understanding as those of commercial fisheries provided that we are prepared to sort out some of the problems involved and give the studies and the data endeavours required some better analytic guidelines and the support needed.
A brief review of the replied from various directors of fisheries in Latin America, Africa and selected countries from Asia, reveal that marine and freshwater fishery resources available to sport fishermen are enormous. In Latin America and Africa they range from cold water species at altitudes sometimes well over 1 000 m to a large number of exciting species in lakes, rivers and coastal waters. In Latin America pressures on the resources are being felt and stocking programmes have been initiated. In Africa sport fishing resources cater principally to the tourist industry and development trends aim at increasing foreign exchange earnings from that sector. In Asia, countries with an English heritage appear to have a more progressive attitude to sport fishery development and organization. The situation in Japan, for which no data were made available, may contradict this statement.
Outside Europe and North America allocation problems between recreational and commercial fisheries are reported as not serious. This may be because the recreational use of the fishery resources expands with the growth of income and leisure time. Some problems exist and are gaining in importance between fisheries and other uses of water. Many countries are looking to Europe and North America for the experience and methodology to face these problems. River basin managers in developing countries have, for instance, an acute need of improved methodology for reaching decisions in multiple water use.
In Latin America we find recreational fishermen's organizations fairly common and increasing in numbers. It was evident from the available information that anglers, as the ultimate consumers of this form of fishery resources use, must increase their understanding and participation in the management decision through better organization.
Some countries, such as France, have successfully developed unique institutional means whereby anglers in essence fund, manage and develop the inland fisheries. In Poland, it was pointed out, resource allocations must reflect both environmental concerns and the realization that angling constitutes one of the most successful forms of fulfilling human needs for recreation in modern society. The many dimensions of sport fishing in the United States continue to be researched and brought into perspective; for example, the estimated food value of the fish taken by anglers in 1975 was US$ 2.5 billion, substantially more than the 1978 landed value of the commercial fishery catch. In the United Kingdom, the growing importance of sport fishing is reflected in plans to update the National Angling Survey in 1980.
It can be concluded that recreational fisheries have reached a threshold level for international recognition in terms of size, importance and growth dynamics that the ocean commercial fisheries reached 30 years ago. With few exceptions in Europe, most countries have started or are planning major studies. There are now compelling reasons why both our international information exchange and some common measures and definitions are needed. One reason is exemplified by the Atlantic salmon, a species which is sought after for both recreation and commercial purposes in both fresh and salt waters. Problems are likewise international and transcend arbitrary boundary lines. The international review of recreational fisheries concluded that much is to be gained and nothing lost by increasing international collaboration.
