Marine recreational fishing (MRF) plays a vital role across Europe, engaging millions of people and generating significant economic impacts, particularly in coastal communities. While research into the ecological effects of MRF on fish stocks and marine ecosystems has advanced, its governance and management within the European Union (EU) remain limited. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the EU's primary fisheries framework, primarily focuses on commercial fishing, leaving MRF underrepresented and lacking dedicated provisions to address its unique needs and challenges.
In this Editor's Choice article from ICES Journal of Marine Science, Grati and colleagues introduce a novel framework to evaluate how MRF is integrated into European fisheries governance. The study identifies significant gaps in policy and management, noting that MRF is often treated reactively, with interventions typically limited to addressing highly depleted stocks. This ad-hoc approach fails to provide the long-term vision necessary for effective management.
The study advocates for a more inclusive and proactive approach within the CFP to recognize MRF as a distinct fishing sector. This includes addressing its unique goals, such as providing food and recreational opportunities, fostering social benefits, and supporting the economic vitality of local communities. The study recommends the systematic collection of data on MRF activities and stronger involvement of MRF stakeholders in advisory and decision-making processes. These steps, the authors argue, are essential to achieving comprehensive governance and sustainably managing this important activity.
This research underscores the importance of balancing the interests of both commercial and recreational fisheries to maximize societal benefits while safeguarding marine ecosystems. With effective governance, MRF has the potential to positively enhance the EU's economic and social landscape, providing benefits for current and future generations alike.
Read the full paper, Effective governance of marine recreational fisheries in Europe is needed to maximize the societal benefits of its fisheries, in ICES Journal of Marine Science.
