Recreational fishing

Recreational fishing is a popular activity with significant economic and social value, but it must be conducted in an ecologically, environmentally, and long-term sustainable way.

At the Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), we support management with knowledge about recreational fishing in the sea, along the coast, and in the five largest lakes: Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren, and Storsjön in Jämtland. Here, the state is responsible for fisheries management. In other inland waters, the fishing rights owners—often in the form of fisheries conservation associations—hold this responsibility.

Data collection from recreational fishing

Currently, recreational fishers have no general obligation to register or report their catches, unlike the licensing regulations that apply to commercial fisheries. Therefore, specific surveys are often needed to collect data in the recreational fishing sector.

The types of data we collect vary. Biological data often include the number and size of caught or released fish and shellfish. Non-biological data can include various measures of fishing effort, descriptions of the fishers, and socio-economic aspects. Currently, there is no single method that collects all types of data cheaply and effectively. Therefore, it is important to select appropriate methods to answer the questions posed.

When conducting surveys, we use several different methods. In addition to questionnaires and telephone interviews, we also conduct fieldwork. This may involve visiting harbours to interview fishers or using aeroplanes or boats to survey larger areas. With a well-designed statistical approach, such visits can provide a comprehensive picture of the fishery.

Collaboration for sustainable recreational fishing

We often collaborate with other stakeholders and engage in citizen science. With the help of private individuals and sport fishing guides, we collect data on lobster, trout, and pike, for example. Through our app Spöreg, the sport fishing community contributes descriptions of fishing activities, catches, and stock size structure. In the Lobserve project, participants report their catches via diaries.

Other species we work with include cod, salmon, and trout. These species are managed internationally, and through the common fisheries policy, Sweden is also required to collect certain data.

We work nationally and internationally. For example, we participate in ICES’ working group on recreational fisheries (WGRFS). We also contribute to the “Action plan for the development of Swedish recreational fishing and fishing tourism 2021–2026,” which is part of the common strategy for the future of fisheries.