The impact of data type and analytical method in developing recreational sea angler typologies

Recreational sea angler typologies inform fishery management by describing participation and behaviour. In some sectors, typologies are questioned due to inconsistency across methodologies and impacts that different analytical techniques have on results. Ways to efficiently capture typology data and identify statistical distortion are also important considerations in their development. These issues are relevant to the UK where a policy-facing typology of recreational sea anglers, involving a complex data framework, was first published in 2025. The study presented in this paper tested a simplified version of the original framework. Two-step clustering was performed on raw angler responses and compared to the outcomes of the original analysis. This generated insights on the impact of the different analyses and the theoretical nature of typologies. Due to an insufficient silhouette coefficient and necessary removal of variables from the data framework, it was not possible to replicate the original typology (consumers, trophy, leisure-identity and social anglers). A new model described diversity in the sample consisting of mid- and high-level environmentalist clusters. The alternative typology offered simpler design and demonstrated a closer relationship between raw angler responses and case positioning. It did not perform as well as the original when explaining variation in angler stewardship behaviours and is therefore considered weaker in its predictive and practical utility. The study demonstrated that typologies are dependent on the data type and associated analytical methods used in their development and, relatedly, their conceptualisation at design stages. As a result, important observations are made on the theoretical nature of typologies. • New analysis of data used to form existing typology of UK recreational sea anglers. • Aimed to simplify data to replicate types: consumers, trophy, identity and social. • New analysis/typology required comprising mid- and high-level environmentalists. • Stronger because of its simplicity yet weaker in its ability to predict behaviour. • Advances scholarly thinking on the theoretical nature and application of typologies.