Effects of marine management measures on saltwater recreational fishers in British Columbia, Canada: Fishers’ motivations, values, beliefs, and marine stewardship

ABSTRACT Objectives Marine recreational fishing provides social, cultural, nutritional, and economic benefits, which can be impacted by marine management measures. Understanding fishers’ motivations and fishing-related activities and how they are impacted by management measures can help managers and decision makers. This type of research addresses the human dimensions of recreational fishing. Methods To understand potential impacts, we (representing a public university and a local nonprofit fishing society) developed an online survey (n = 1,918 responses) to assess fishers’ activities, motivations, beliefs about management, perceived impacts of management measures, and involvement in marine stewardship and citizen science in British Columbia, Canada. Results Fishers were motivated by time spent outdoors with family and friends, keeping fish, and mental and physical health benefits (the latter becoming more important during the COVID-19 pandemic). Rules and regulations that did not allow retention were equated with no opportunity. Survey respondents agreed that management measures were necessary, but they disagreed with many current measures and felt that their needs and concerns were not considered. Many survey participants were involved in stewardship and citizen science, especially those working in the service sector (e.g., guides). Conclusions Our results emphasize the importance of improving trust in and the legitimacy of fisheries management decision making, such as outreach by fisheries managers and implementation of collaborative governance systems.