First Assessment of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Marine Recreational Fisheries
Authors: Pita Pablo , Ainsworth Gillian B. , Alba Bernardino , Anderson Antônio B. , Antelo Manel , Alós Josep , Artetxe Iñaki , Baudrier Jérôme , Castro José J. , Chicharro Belén , Erzini Karim , Ferter Keno , Freitas Mafalda , García-de-la-Fuente Laura , García-Charton José A. , Giménez-Casalduero María , Grau Antoni M. , Diogo Hugo , Gordoa Ana , Henriques Filipe , Hyder Kieran , Jiménez-Alvarado David , Karachle Paraskevi K. , Lloret Josep , Laporta Martin , Lejk Adam M. , Dedeu Arnau L. , Martín-Sosa Pablo , Martínez Lllibori , Mira Antoni M. , Morales-Nin Beatriz , Mugerza Estanis , Olesen Hans J. , Papadopoulos Anastasios , Pontes João , Pascual-Fernández José J. , Purroy Ariadna , Ramires Milena , Rangel Mafalda , Reis-Filho José Amorim , Sánchez-Lizaso Jose L. , Sandoval Virginia , Sbragaglia Valerio , Silva Luis , Skov Christian , Sola Iván , Strehlow Harry V. , Torres María A. , Ustups Didzis , van der Hammen Tessa , Veiga Pedro , Venerus Leonardo A. , Verleye Thomas , Villasante Sebastián , Weltersbach Marc Simon , Zarauz Lucía 
Published: October 2021

This work is the result of an international research effort to determine the main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on marine recreational fishing. Changes were assessed on (1) access to fishing, derived from lockdowns and other mobility restrictions; (2) ecosystems, because of alterations in fishing intensity and human presence; (3) the blue economy, derived from alterations in the investments and expenses of the fishers; and (4) society, in relation to variations in fishers’ health and well-being. For this, a consultation with experts from 16 countries was carried out, as well as an international online survey aimed at recreational fishers, that included specific questions designed to capture fishers’ heterogeneity in relation to behavior, skills and know-how, and vital involvement. Fishers’ participation in the online survey (5,998 recreational fishers in 15 countries) was promoted through a marketing campaign. The sensitivity of the fishers’ clustering procedure, based on the captured heterogeneity, was evaluated by SIMPER analysis and by generalized linear models. Results from the expert consultation highlighted a worldwide reduction in marine recreational fishing activity. Lower human-driven pressures are expected to generate some benefits for marine ecosystems. However, experts also identified high negative impacts on the blue economy, as well as on fisher health and well-being because of the loss of recreational fishing opportunities. Most (98%) of the fishers who participated in the online survey were identified asadvanced, showing a much higher degree of commitment to recreational fishing thanbasicfishers (2%).Advancedfishers were, in general, more pessimistic about the impacts of COVID-19, reporting higher reductions in physical activity and fish consumption, as well as poorer quality of night rest, foul mood, and raised more concerns about their health status. Controlled and safe access to marine recreational fisheries during pandemics would provide benefits to the health and well-being of people and reduce negative socioeconomic impacts, especially for vulnerable social groups.