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Robert Arlinghaus EIFAC, Sub-Commission IV, WP Recreational Fisheries

A Global Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries: an Initiative by EIFAC. Robert Arlinghaus EIFAC, Sub-Commission IV, WP Recreational Fisheries Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Adaptfish-Project, Berlin, Germany

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Robert Arlinghaus EIFAC, Sub-Commission IV, WP Recreational Fisheries

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  1. A Global Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries: an Initiative by EIFAC Robert Arlinghaus EIFAC, Sub-Commission IV, WP Recreational Fisheries Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Adaptfish-Project, Berlin, Germany Inland Fisheries Management Laboratory, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

  2. European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) • Statuary body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations • Inter-governmental networking forum linking policy-makers, managers and scientists working on inland fisheries and aquaculture • Scientific work undertaken in Working Parties led by specialists from member countries

  3. Why recreational fisheries? Because it is important and widespread • Average participation rate: 10.6% • Hotspots: Scandinavia, Australia, Eastern Europe, North America Arlinghaus & Cooke 2009). In: Dickson et al. (eds.), Blackwell Science

  4. Social, economic and ecological importance • Most important direct user of freshwater fish stocks (Arlinghaus & Cooke 2005, Science) • Feeds a multi-billion industry (Arlinghaus et al. 2002, Fish Fish.) • Incentives and engagement in fish conservation (Granek et al., 2008, Cons. Biol.) • Overlooked potential for biological impacts (harvesting, stocking)

  5. Increasingly noticed biological impacts of recreational harvesting Bioscience Fisheries Science Science Rainbow trout: 1960-1980, CPUE 5.6 -> 0.25 fish/h, Total effort doubled Walleye: 1980-1990 CPUE 0.25 -> 0.02 fish/ha Pike: 1960-1990 CPUE 0.4 -> 0.04 fish/h Younger, larger fluctuations in year class strenght

  6. Changes in structural attributes of the fish stock Low frequency of large and old individuals in heavily exploited stocks (catch-and-kill fishery) Brown trout > age 4 0 Gedrez Brown trout of „large“ size 0 1.4 Exploited Naviego 5.5 3.4 Moal 5.1 Fishery Name der Gewässerstrecke in Spanien 25.4 Tablizas 15.5 43.5 Banzao 15.3 Unexploited 39.5 Zreizal 23.3 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 data: Braña et al. (1992), Hydrobiologia Prozent am Gesamtfischbestand Relative frequency (%)

  7. Potential impacts of stocking Competition (intraspecific, interspecific) Predation (mostly top-predators stocked) Introduction of novel pathogens (Gyrodactylus salaris; Anguillicola crassus, KHV, viruses and bacteria) Loss of genetic variability (introgression, outbreeding depression) Hoch Lewin, Arlinghaus & McPhee (2008), In: Aas, Arlinghaus et al., Blackwell Science

  8. Introduction of exotic species and genotypes A major problem throughout the world (Johnson et al. 2008, Front. Ecol. Evol.) Often illegal introduction by anglers or live release from bait buckets (Johnson, Arlinghaus & Martinez, 2009, Fisheries)

  9. Radical Calls

  10. Pressing issues for the future • Ethics and values – fish welfare, public attitudes towards fishing, conservation values, behaviour of a minority of fishers etc. result in intersectoral conflicts • Intrasectoral conflicts - Horizontal conflicts between stakeholders, vertical conflicts between authorities and users • Fishery declines and sustainability - recreational fishing sector has potential to negatively affect fish and fisheries • Stocking - meeting environmental goals and fishers can mean conflicting demands in more natural water bodies • Non-native species - detrimental effects from the stocking of non-native fish for recreation

  11. Codes of Practice in Recreational Fisheries • Exist in some countries for local, regional or even national application produced either by fisheries authorities or NGOs (e.g., Nordic Angler Association) • Need for more international agreement on good practice expressed at various World Recreational Fishing Conferences, starting in 1996 in Dublin (Hickley 1998)

  12. Output of Working Party on Recreational Fisheries English is official version, but is being translated by volunteers into other languages (currently available French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese) EIFAC Working Party Publications

  13. Experts of 17 different nations ranging from mangers, scientists, NGOs and avid anglers collaborated under the leadership of the WP on Recreational Fisheries Consultation workshop in November 2007 at the Dutch Sport Fishing Organization Endorsed in May 2008 by EIFAC The drafting process

  14. Rationale • Recreational fishing the most important user of most inland fish stocks and many coastal ones in industrialized countries (Arlinghaus et al. 2002, Fish Fish.) • Diversity in fisheries types but similar rights and plight • Largely overlooked in international policy on fisheries and sustainable fisheries management • A Global Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries needed to complement the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 1995) with the specifics of recreational fisheries

  15. Regional fisheries regulations Role of a Code of Practice Cowx & Arlinghaus, 2008, In: Aas et al. (eds), Blackwell Publ. Code of Practice International agreements and conventions National fisheries legislation National environmental legislation National animal welfare legislation Code of Practice Local fisheries management, angler behaviour, conflicts Code of Practice

  16. Framework of the Code of Practice • Works from assumption that recreational fisheries is a legitimate activity providing a vital source of benefits and well-being for people and ecosystems • Acknowledges the importance of the recreational fisheries sector to help society in conserving and enhancing aquatic habitats • Code of Practice designed to outline a minimum standards for environmentally friendly, ethically appropriate and, depending on local conditions, socially acceptable recreational fishing globally • Is entirely voluntary and generic enough to fit alongside national legislation and regional best practice guidelines

  17. Overarching goalsCowx & Arlinghaus (2008), In: Aas et al. (eds), Blackwell • To increase awareness of recreational fisheries in the policy arena • To increase acceptance of the sector as a major player in the world’s fisheries • To improve management and development of recreational fisheries • To improve the image of recreational fisheries within society

  18. Specific objectives (Arlinghaus et al., Fisheries, in review) • To promote sustainable recreational fisheries • To serve as a reference document to guide institutional and policy frameworks nationally and internationally • To promote international exchange of knowledge and stimulate discussion • To facilitate cooperation among researchers, managers and NGOs • To “prepare” the recreational fisheries sector to burgeoning threats (e.g., animal liberation and rights movement)

  19. The Challenge of a Generic Definition Definition: Recreational fishing is fishing of aquatic animals that do not constitute the individual’s primary resource to meet nutritional needs and are not generally sold or otherwise traded on export, domestic or black markets (EIFAC 2008)

  20. 2: Objectives 3: Implement. + Upd. 4: General Principles 1: Nature & Scope 5: Env. Stewardship 6: Instit. Framework 8: Fishing Practice 7: Compliance, Enforc. 9: Fish Welfare 13: Aware., Educ. 10: Stakeholder Inter. 11: Mgmt. 12: Research Structure: 13 Articles

  21. Logic INTRODUCTION Article 1: Nature and Scope Article 2: Objectives Article 3: Implementation and Updating VALUES Article 4: General Principles Article 5: Environmental Stewardship And Ethics POLICY • Hierarchical structure • From the general to the particular • Keys are the articles on Technical Substance and New Knowledge Article 6: Policy and Institutional Frameworks Article 7: Compliance and Enforcement TECHNICAL SUBSTANCE Article 8: Recreational Fishing Practice Article 9: Fish Welfare Article 10: Stakeholder Interactions Article 11: Management NEW KNOWLEDGE Article 12: Research Arlinghaus et al. (2010), Fish. Magmt. Ecol. PROMOTION and EDUCATION Article 13: Awareness, Education and Training

  22. 1: Nature & Scope 2: Objectives 3: Implement.& Updating Articles 1-3: Introduction • Scope (voluntary, recreational fisheries sector, EIFAC) • Objectives statement as outlined before • Authority for updating of the Code in the future

  23. Articles 4 and 5: Values 4: General Principles 5: Env. Stewards • To protect, promote and encourage access to recreational fishing • To ensure sustainableuse, conservation and management of recreational fisheries • To avoid irreversible, costly or slowly reversible changes to aquatic biodiversity • To avoid conflicts with commercial fisheries and other users of aquatic ecosystems • To raise awareness that recreational fisheries can impact on fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems and encourage actions to minimize such impacts through best practice • Environmental stewardship: moral obligation to care for aquatic environments and the actions undertaken to provide that care

  24. 6: Instit. Framework 7:Compl., Enforc. Articles 6 and 7: Policy • Governments, administrations and decision-makers should: • establish policy and regulatory frameworks for the management of recreational fisheries • provide resources and mechanisms for enforcement of rules and regulations • ensure that the recreational fisheries sector is involved in other activities related to aquatic ecosystem management, conservation and planning • provide the mechanisms to settle conflicts

  25. Logic INTRODUCTION Article 1: Nature and Scope Article 2: Objectives Article 3: Implementation and Updating VALUES Article 4: General Principles Article 5: Environmental Stewardship And Ethics POLICY • Hierarchical structure • From the general to the particular • Keys are the articles on Technical Substance and New Knowledge Article 6: Policy and Institutional Frameworks Article 7: Compliance and Enforcement TECHNICAL SUBSTANCE Article 8: Recreational Fishing Practice Article 9: Fish Welfare Article 10: Stakeholder Interactions Article 11: Management NEW KNOWLEDGE Article 12: Research Arlinghaus et al. (2010), Fish. Magmt. Ecol. PROMOTION and EDUCATION Article 13: Awareness, Education and Training

  26. 8: Fishing Pract. Article 8: Recreational Fishing Practices • Detailed, yet mostly common-sense, provisions related to • Safety while fishing • Fish stocks (e.g. not take more than needed, not leave gear unattended, where feasible – gill nets, traps exceptions) • Litter (e.g. do not litter and remove litter from others) • Environmentand habitats(e.g. not illegally stock or transfer live fish, avoid damage to vegetation, avoid disturbance of waterfowl)

  27. 9: Fish Welfare Article 9: Fish Welfare • Focuses on what happens to the individual fish • No reference to contentious issues such as pain and suffering • Function-based definition: good welfare means that an individual fish is in good health, with its biological systems functioning properly and with no impairment of fitness

  28. Provisions in the Code A. Live baitfish, killing process B. Catch-and-release, voluntary or manadatory C. Holding fish alive, weigh-in

  29. 10: Stakeholder Interact. Article 10: Stakeholder Interactions • Emphasises often-overlooked basic principles such as: • To understand that some human activities have priority over recreational fishing • To respect the values and perspectives of other stakeholders • To respect the rights of land owners • To respect other people’s privacy at the fishing site • To work cooperatively to resolve conflicts

  30. 11: Mgmt. Article 11: Management • Emphasizes basic management principles such as • Ecosystem approach • Precautionary approach

  31. Article 11: Management 11: Mgmt. • Emphasizes basic management principles such as • Ecosystem approach • Precautionary approach • Structuredmanagement process by identification of goals and measurable objectives • Adaptive management though monitoring and evaluation of actions • Decisions based on the best available science

  32. Adaptive learning and management Governance regime & institutional settings Improvement of policies Learning & Adaptation

  33. Article 11: Management 11: Mgmt. • Emphasizes basic management principles such as • Ecosystem approach • Precautionary approach • Structuredmanagement process by identification of goals and measurable objectives • Adaptive management though monitoring and evaluation of actions • Decisions must be based on the best available science • Management at three levels: people, fish, environment

  34. Management toolbox • Size limits • Creel limits and harvest quotas • Season limits • Area restrictions (sanctuaries) • Gear restrictions • Prevention of stocking  Stocking  Habitat enhancement  Fish removal People Fish, habitats

  35. Account for a diverse fishing clientele, manage for diversity (no panaceas) 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 0 0 25 25 50 50 75 75 100 100 Generic Consumptive Number of angling licenses Trophy Mixed anglers Minimum-size limit (cm) Johnston, Arlinghaus, Dieckmann, 2010, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

  36. 12: Research Article 12: Research • Emphasizes the need for cooperation between researchers and local stakeholders, e.g. to identify research questions • Highlights multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of recreational fisheries research, specifically the need to integrate natural and social sciences • Emphasizes the need for standardised monitoring programmes of fish and fisher dynamics to enable timely and well-grounded management responses • Emphasizes need to document knowledge in published form

  37. 13: Awareness, Educ. Article 13: Awareness, Education and Training • To disseminate new information, policies and regulations to the fishing public • To communicate recent advances in recreational fisheries science objectively • To invest funds for education and outreach programs • To promote awareness of the CoP internationally and development of more specific regional and local codes (e.g. tailored towards particular fish species)

  38. Summary and Outlook • Framework that describes minimum standard of best practice principles, approaches and actions • Useful for policy makers, NGOs, recreational fishing industry, managers and scientists as a communication tool for best practices • May develop into a tool to facilitate assessment of recreational fisheries • To be viable, it needs to be adopted by the international community and applied nationally and regionally and possibly further developed to meet regional specifics • Technical Guidelines for Recreational Fisheries will be drafted under the auspices of FAO in 2011 to provide more substance to the rather densely-written and rather generic principles of the Code

  39. Acknowledgements • Raymon van Anrooy (FAO) for encouragement and drive for funding • Financial support from the Central Fisheries Board in Ireland (Joe Caffrey), the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Arjo Rothuis), the Dutch Recreational Fishing Association (Fret Bloot) and the Adaptfish-Project (www.adaptfish.igb-berlin.de) • 28 participants at international workshop in Bilthoven (The Netherlands) in November 2007 and EIFAC experts for their constructive feedback on earlier drafts • The organizers of this symposium for the invitation!

  40. Access to the Document ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0363e/i0363e00.pdf

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