Effective governance of marine recreational fisheries in Europe is needed to maximize the societal benefits of its fisheries
Abstract Marine recreational fishing (MRF) is a socially and economically relevant fishing activity in Europe, but its impacts on ecosystems and the economy remain poorly understood, and management is limited. This paper evaluates the current European fisheries governance, particularly the Common Fisheries Policy, in addressing MRF issues. Our evaluation highlights the lack of explicit recognition of MRF in European Union legislation, where recreational fisheries are not or insufficiently managed within a commercial fisheries-oriented policy framework. We recommend policy reform that explicitly recognizes recreational fisheries as a distinct fisheries sector with its own interests, values and objectives, and dynamics that differ from those typical in commercial fisheries. On the operational level, we recommend involving key organizations representing MRF interests in advisory groups dealing with marine fisheries, nature conservation, and marine spatial use, and encourage sustainable fishing practices among all types of fisheries. To achieve this, there is a need for better and more comprehensive data collection, stakeholder engagement, and outreach to support effective MRF governance and management. By addressing these issues, Europe can maximize the benefits of MRF, while ensuring the sustainability of fisheries.
Authors
- Fabio Grati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1793-303X)
- Jon Helge Vølstad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8738-8543)
- Didzis Ustups (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3322-2211)
- Jérôme Baudrier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-0970)
- Christian Skov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8547-6520)
- Kieran Hyder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1428-5679)
- Brigid Bell
- Luca Bolognini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6319-6723)
- Robert Arlinghaus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2861-527X)
- Kevin Haase (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1982-0899)
- Zachary Radford (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6820-5913)
- Harry V. Strehlow (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8765-3845)
- Amélie Regimbart (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3818-7603)
- Pablo Pita (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9273-1481)
- Martina Scanu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3212-7378)
- Hugo Diogo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9269-3339)
- Warren M. Potts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6707-0383)
- Marc Simon Weltersbach (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9173-5157)
- Thomas Verleye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0724-9311)
- Estanis Murgerza
- Annica I De Groote
Institutions
- Universidade da Coruña (ES)
- University of East Anglia (GB)
- Universidade dos Açores (PT)
- Flanders Marine Institute (BE)
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (GB)
- Ifremer (FR)
- Rhodes University (ZA)
- Norwich Research Park (GB)
- Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (NO)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” (LV)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (DE)
- National Research Council (RO)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique (MQ)
- Ability Found (US)
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ES)
- National Research Council (IT)
- L'Institut Agro (FR)
- University of Palermo (IT)
- Technical University of Denmark (DK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ICES Journal of Marine Science
- Published
- 2024-11-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsae169
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.39
Funders
- UK Research and Innovation
- Sight Research UK
- European Commission
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Natural Environment Research Council