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Indirect Consequences of Recreational Fishing in Freshwater Ecosystems: An Exploration from an Australian Perspective

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  • Shelley Burgin

    (School of Health and Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, South Penrith Distribution Centre, Penrith 2751, Australia)

Abstract

Recreational fishing in freshwater ecosystems is a popular pastime in Australia. Although most native fish are endemic, the fauna is depauperate compared to any landmass of similar size. With commercial fishing no longer a major industry in the country’s freshwaters, the future sustainability of these ecosystems will depend heavily on the actions of recreational fishers. However, there has been limited focus on the consequences of recreational fishing in freshwaters. There is particularly a dearth of information on the indirect consequences of fishers on the waterbodies they depend on for their sport. After outlining the respective trends in commercial and recreational fishing in Australia as a basis for placing the sport in context, the indirect impacts of fishers on water quality, movement (walking, off-road vehicles), the introduction/translocation of fauna (particularly fish), the dispersal of flora and the transmission of fish disease and pathogens are reviewed. It is concluded that with the decline of commercial fishing, the competition between commercial fin-fishing and recreational fishing is negligible, at least throughout most of the country. It is also concluded that each of the issues addressed has the potential to be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the freshwater ecosystems that the fishers depend on for their recreation. However, information on these issues is scant. This is despite the current and predicted popularity of freshwater recreational fishing continuing to increase in Australia. Indeed, there has been insufficient quantitative assessment of the impacts to even determine what is required to ensure a comprehensive, adequate and representative protection of these freshwater ecosystems. To underpin the sustainability of inland recreational fishing in the country, it was concluded that research is required to underpin the development and implementation of appropriate policies. The alternative is that the integrity and biodiversity loss of these ecosystems will ultimately result in their collapse before the indirect consequences of recreational fishing have been directly assessed and appropriately protected. However, the lack of protection of wetlands is not restricted to Australia; there is a deficit of freshwater protected areas worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Shelley Burgin, 2017. "Indirect Consequences of Recreational Fishing in Freshwater Ecosystems: An Exploration from an Australian Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:2:p:280-:d:90466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Rolfe & Prabha Prayaga, 2007. "Estimating values for recreational fishing at freshwater dams in Queensland ," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 51(2), pages 157-174, June.
    2. Hardiman, Nigel & Burgin, Shelley, 2011. "Canyoning adventure recreation in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (Australia): The canyoners and canyoning trends over the last decade," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1324-1331.
    3. Lucy G Anderson & Steve Rocliffe & Neal R Haddaway & Alison M Dunn, 2015. "The Role of Tourism and Recreation in the Spread of Non-Native Species: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Kearney, Robert E., 2001. "Fisheries property rights and recreational/commercial conflict: implications of policy developments in Australia and New Zealand," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 49-59, January.
    5. Rolfe, John & Prayaga, Prabha, 2007. "Estimating values for recreational fishing at freshwater dams in Queensland," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 51(2), pages 1-18.
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