Why do fishers fish?

To effectively manage fisheries worldwide, we first need to understand exactly why people fish. And the reasons are many.

Using interviews, James Cook University researchers, Matthew Young, Simon Foale and David Bellwood, explored the motivations of two fisher groups: subsistence/artisanal fishers in the Solomon Islands, and experienced recreational fishers in Australia.

This cross-cultural examination of the motivations for fishing found the reasons for subsistence fishing can parallel those of recreational fishers. Some subsistence fishers continue to fish in the absence of necessity, while rec fishers perceive fishing to benefit social capital, nature and economy.

It was also found that young males exhibit displays of machismo while fishing, which might prove to be a good outlet compared with the many other options in today's society.

In the Solomon Islands, the most common motivations for fishing were food (100 per cent) and income (93 per cent). However, many fishers said they would continue fishing even if they had alternative income, and many of their motivations overlapped with recreational fishers.

In Australia, 96 per cent of recreational fishers cited a connection to the environment as their reason for fishing. Other personal reasons included:
>> physical fitness and exercise
>> benefits to mental health through escapism
>> stress release and relaxation
>> the health properties of seafood
>> social interactions and bonding with friends and family
>> the ability to be outdoors and satisfy their hunter-gatherer instinct

"Fishing provides social benefits to the community through camaraderie, fishing clubs and the sharing of a common interest," said one Australian fisher. "It also contributes to social cohesion as it crosses social boundaries and encourages unification."

The Australian Society for Fish Biology, a professional, independent, non-profit, and non-aligned organisation promoting research, education and management of fish and fisheries in Australia, has been among those who voice support for this new study.

You can read more about this interesting study at www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16000257