Habitat and Angler Influences on Recreational Fisheries Ecology and Management

Recreational fisheries are socially and economically important systems but difficult to manage. Recreational fisheries provide food, contribute to economic growth through tourism by visiting anglers, and offer human health benefits . Globally, recreational fisheries are worth US 190 billion annually . Recreational fisheries are quite complex, making management a challenge that requires multifaceted solutions. Challenges of over-exploitation, species extinction, warming waters, and declines in fish productivity can be difficult to address. Although extremely complex, three key components of recreational fisheries are: anglers, habitat, and fish populations. Indeed, many fisheries challenges arise due to complex angler effort dynamics, declines in natural habitat structures, and interspecific variability in fish life histories. In the face of these challenges, managers must identify and build understanding of the most effective leverage points of these social-ecological systems as well as important but unmanageable variables. In my dissertation research, I investigated the strength of habitat and angler feedbacks on recreational fish populations. The results of my research will signal to managers which leverage points are most influential to fish populations and where adaptation to unmanageable variables will be needed. I used long-term fisheries dependent and independent data to evaluate habitat and interspecific factors that determine differences in catch-abundance relationships among sport fish. I also evaluated the impacts of habitat on juvenile survival and adult fish movement and growth using a before-after control-impact (BACI) design in a whole-lake experiment. In another whole-lake experiment using a BACI design, I manipulated angler effort to test whether angler effort influenced catch rates through fish behavior or hook memory. In my dissertation, I used whole-lake experiments, long-term data, and statistical models to investigate and identify system components and tools that may aid in future management of recreational fisheries.