Recreational fishing in rural coastal communities in Guyana: Motivational factors and catch composition

Recreational fishing is fast becoming a popular activity in Guyana and there is growing concern about the likely impacts of this activity. This study investigates recreational fishing in select rural coastal villages, in Administrative Region 6, East Berbice, Corentyne, to ascertain the species caught, the motivational factors that either push or pull individuals to participate in this activity, and perceptions about regulating recreational fishing. One hundred (100) randomly identified individuals from ten (10) villages, who engaged in recreational fishing, participated in this study. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit responses about recreational fishing. The results revealed that “fishing to supplement food”, “relaxation”, and “enjoyment and thrill of catching fish” were major non-catch motivating factors. Major catch related motivational factors were “the size of the fish caught”, “the number of fishes caught” and “the fishing location”. There was some correlation between motivational factors and selected demographic variables. A total of twenty-four (24) species comprised the collective catch reported. Some respondents opined that regulations are needed for recreational fishing in Guyana, but this could be problematic if stakeholders are not informed and made aware of why regulation is needed, what this entails, and if they are not involved in decision making processes regarding the kinds of regulation to be implemented.