THE DUTCH ANGLERS (WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY)

LE PECHEUR A LA LIGNE NEERLANDAIS (Y COMPRIS UNE BIBLIOGRAPHIE)

by

J.C.C. Prinssen and J.A. Kropman
Nigmegen,
The Netherlands

Abstract

On the initiative of the Research Committee on Angling, the Institute for Applied Sociology (I.T.S.) conducted in 1971 a preliminary survey among anglers in inland water at three locations in the province of South Holland (I.T.S., 1972). Its main purpose was to gain experience in interviewing anglers at the waterside and to obtain an initial impression of their behaviour and desires.

This preparatory survey was followed by a large-scale, national study, for the purpose of which nearly 1 500 male anglers of 15 years and older, holding fishing licences, were interviewed at their homes at the beginning of 1973. Its aim was to get a fair picture of the need for angling facilities and of the characteristics, behaviour and desires of the anglers.

Simultaneously, a random sample consisting of about 1 150 members of the Dutch male population was interviewed. The object in view was to ascertain whether the anglers constituted a specific category, and to make possible a comparison between angling and other kinds of leisure pastime.

The results of the national angling survey are contained in the I.T.S. report entitled “DE NEDERLANDSE SPORTVISSER” (The Dutch Angler) - a study of the characteristics, behaviour and desires of anglers (February, 1975).

This paper contains the most important data from this second survey.

Résume

A l'initiative du Comité de recherche sur la pêche à la ligne, l'Institut de sociologie appliquée (ITS) a conduit en 1971 une enquête préliminaire auprès des pêcheurs à la ligne en eau douce, dans trois endroits de la Hollande méridionale (ITS, 1972). Cette enquête avait pour principal objet de réunir des données en interrogeant les pêcheurs à la ligne sur les lieux de pêche et de se faire une première idée de leur comportement et de leurs souhaits.

Cette enquête préparatoire a été suivie d'une étude nationale de grande envergure: près de 1 500 pêcheurs à la ligne âgés de 15 ans et plus et possesseurs de permis de pêche ont été interrogés chez eux au début de 1973. L'étude visait à brosser un tableau exact des besoins en matière de pêche à la ligne, ainsi que des caractéristiques, du comportement et des désirs des pêcheurs à la ligne.

Dans le même temps, un échantillon aléatoire comprenant environ 1 500 personnes de la population néerlandaise mâle a été interrogé. Le but recherché était de déterminer si les pêcheurs à la ligne constituent une catégorie spécifique et de procéder à une comparaison entre la pêche à la ligne et d'autres activités récréatives.

Les résultats de l'enquête nationale sur la pêche à la ligne sont consignés dans le rapport de l'ITS intitulé “De nederlandse sportvisser” (Le pêcheur à la ligne néerlandais) - étude des caractéristiques, du comportement et des désirs des pêcheurs à la ligne (février 1975).

Le présent document reproduit les plus importantes des données tirées de cette seconde enquête.

1. WHY WAS THIS RESEARCH INITIATED?

1.1 Angling Policy and the Need for Research

Various governmental and private bodies in The Netherlands concern themselves with angling policy: the Department for Sport Fisheries and Professional Inland Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Organization for the Improvement of Inland Fisheries, and the Netherlands Association of Angling Federations (N.V.V.S.).

One might wonder why a special angling policy is needed in a country with so much water, and why it was even considered necessary to conduct an inquiry among anglers.

Despite the large number of stretches of water in The Netherlands, from the economic point of view surface water must be regarded as a scarce commodity, which is used for all kinds of widely different purposes including industry, agriculture, shipping, commercial fishing, recreation and the provision of drinking water. The harmonizing of the respective interests of the “users” calls for a policy which, among other things, regulates water use, inter alia by anglers.

This, of course, is not the only reason for the existence of an angling policy. Another reason is the fact that angling, particularly when it has many followers, calls for special measures relating to the distribution and management of the fishing waters, fish population and facilities provided at the sites, if it is to remain a satisfactory leisure-pastime. When taking the requisite measures and planning the facilities, anglers' needs and desires have to be taken into account. Reliable and well ordered research data favour the development of an angling policy.

1.2 Reason for and Object of the Research

Angling in The Netherlands is subject to a number of regulations. One of these is that people of 15 years and older cannot fish without a fishing licence. These licences¹ are valid for one fishing season and can be bought at the municipal clerk's office, police station or post office, varying from place to place.

The fishing licences most in demand are the angling licence and the angling certificate¹ sales of these two types of documents, taken together, rose from nearly 540 000 for the 1964/65 fishing season to nearly 800 000 for the 1972/73 fishing season - an increase of 47 percent. The rapidly growing popularity of angling gave rise to questions that helped to get this research started. The principal questions to which the research was directed are:

¹ Certain regulations are given in Section 9 of this report where the terms used are also defined in greater detail

-    Where does the rapidly growing enthusiasm come from? Do larger numbers of juveniles go fishing nowadays, or is it the older people who cause the marked growth?

-    Who are the anglers? Do they constitute a certain category of the population (juveniles or older people, well-off or less well-off) which may, therefore, require extra attention.

-    Are there perhaps types of anglers who have specific wishes regarding the facilities provided, the fish population and the management of the fishing water?

-    What can be expected of the future? Will the growth in the number of anglers continue?

This last question is very important, because a growth like the one manifested in recent years greatly affects, for instance, the available length of shore per angler, the requisite facilities and, no less, the fish population. It is becoming all the more urgent since registration of the fishing documents issued has shown that the total increase of the number sold (47 percent) is mainly accounted for by the angling licences, the sale of which increased in those years by nearly 100 percent, as against an increase of barely 25 percent in those of angling certificates.

Since, as it was also found, that anglers with an angling licence fish more frequently and also because of the fact that they are allowed to fish with several rods and with a special rod¹, they are more successful in catching predatory fish, this change would appear to have additional effects, for instance on the occupation of the shore and on the fish population. This matter brings us back again to a question which received much attention in both the preliminary survey and this research project, namely whether on the basis of their behaviour a distinction can be made between different kinds or “types” of anglers and, if so, whether the distinct types of anglers differ in their desires as to the management, the fish population and the facilities to be provided. If the latter is the case, the policy should take into account the desires of the several types of anglers.

¹ For a more precise description, see Section 9

To put it clearly, when seeking a typology, the question at issue is whether, for instance, one can state: “Distinction can be made between different types of anglers; one of these is the casual angler. He does not fish frequently, he fishes near home, wants to sit close to other fishermen, fishes without a boat and wants many facilities at the waterside. This category comprises a quarter of all anglers”.

This hypothetical example is meant to show that, when seeking the types from among the data, the position is reviewed to see whether one or more categories of anglers can be found who display a specific, fixed combination of behavioural characteristics that distinguish them from other anglers. If this turns out to be so, a second question arises, i.e., whether the individual categories perhaps possess several such specific wishes which the government policy can meet separately.

On the basis of the questions and considerations quoted above, the Research Committee on Angling established in 1970 gave the further impetus for this research, after taking note of the results of the preliminary survey conducted by the I.T.S.

Allowing for the fact that, apart from the numbers of fishing documents sold, there were scarcely any data available on anglers, the Committee decided to focus attention on the next themes:

-    What are the present and future requirements as to angling facilities?

-    How can the demand be broken down into specific needs or desires regarding facilities, fish population and management?

These central questions formed the point of departure when drawing up the questionnaire. How they were worked out and formulated will be seen from the subjects discussed in the following chapters.

2. WHAT CATEGORIES WERE INTERVIEWED, WHEN AND HOW?

For the purpose of the research 1 485 men of 15 years and older, who held a small angling licence or an angling certificate for the 1972/73 fishing season were questioned. Their names and addresses were obtained by taking a representative sample from among the registered 1972/73 fishing documents of 114 Netherlands municipalities. These municipalities had in turn been selected in such a manner that their inhabitants together constitute a representative cross-section of the Dutch male anglers of 15 years and older.

At the same time 1 168 men in the municipalities concerned, of 15 years and older, were questioned. Their names and addresses were obtained by taking a random sample from the population registers of those municipalities. Among them, of course, were a number of persons with a fishing licence, but also anglers without a fishing licence (unlicensed anglers), salt-water anglers, persons who only fish abroad, and persons who do not fish at all. By questioning this second sample, the national numbers could be roughly ascertained for each of the said categories of anglers. In addition, this random sample served to determine the extent to which anglers as a category resemble persons who do not fish as regards their social and economic characteristics (age, income, etc.) and leisure pastimes.

Two separate questionnaires were drawn up, one for the 1 485 anglers with a fishing licence and the other for the sample of the male population. The questions relating to social and economic characteristics and leisure time were identical in the two questionnaires.

Furthermore, the anglers were approached as to their desires regarding possibilities for angling. For the interviews with the men of the population sample, special questions were included, for instance, about plans to go fishing, fishing without a fishing licence, etc.

The approach as to angling and the anglers' desires constituted the main theme of the research. By means of the questions asked, the behaviour and desires of the men of 15 years and older living in The Netherlands who held a small angling licence or an angling certificate to fish in inland waters in the 1972/73 season were studied.

Categories to which the research was not specifically directed are the anglers who fish only in salt water and also from those fishing in inland waters, anglers with a “large” angling licence, female anglers, male anglers under 15 years of age and foreigners who fish in The Netherlands.

The main reason for not specially studying these categories of anglers may be summed up as follows. Salt-water angling calls for less attention than angling in inland waters, particularly since the supply of salt-water fish and sea fish is fairly large in proportion to the number of anglers availing themselves of it. The situation also differs from that relating to angling in inland water, because the opportunities of creating facilities for salt-water anglers and managing the fish population are far more limited.

The size of the category of (inland water) anglers with a “large” angling licence (approximately 6 200) and that of women holding a fishing licence (2.5 percent of all the applicants, i.e., 0.4 percent of the women of 15 years old and older) is so small that sufficiently large numbers for separate analysis could only be obtained by picking a separate and, therefore, fairly expensive sample. This is also true of foreign anglers who fish in The Netherlands. It is not possible to pick a sample of the persons under 15 who fish because they are not registered. They are allowed to fish with one common rod without an angling certificate.

3. THE NUMBER OF ANGLERS

The information on the number of anglers was obtained from three sources, viz., the registration of fishing licences sold by the “sample” municipalities, the registration of the total national number of fishing licences sold by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and, thirdly, the sample of the male population.

It was also found from the registration of the licences sold that at least 3 percent of the fishing documents were sold to persons living in municipalities other than those in which they bought the document.

Table 1

Some Figures from the Register of the Fishing Documents sold for the 1972/73 Fishing Season

^a The interviews with the anglers showed that about 5 percent of them held both an angling licence and an angling certificate for the 1972/73 season

It can be stated provisionally that the most important information given in the table is that 15 percent of the men of 15 years of age and older hold a fishing licence. This figure can be compared with the corresponding percentage in the following survey, which is based on the population sample.

Table 2

Estimated number of Anglers based on the Sample of Males of 15 years and older

Since the figures in Table 2 were not obtained by questioning all males, but by questioning only a sample of males, account must be taken of the fact that the estimates may be too high or too low. On the other hand, the fact that there is only a 0.8 percent difference between the percentages shown in Tables 1 and 2 indicates that the estimates are reliable.

The main conclusions drawn from Table 2 are that:

-    1.3 million Dutchmen of 15 years and older fished in 1972

-    1.15 million Dutchmen of 15 years and older fished in inland waters in 1972

-    one third of the Dutchmen of 15 years and older who occasionally fished in inland waters do not hold one of the required fishing licences¹

¹ As will be seen further on, the unlicensed anglers fish considerably less often than the licenced anglers. It must not therefore be stated that 1 in 3 anglers found in the field is an unlicensed angler

On the basis of the figures for the age at which anglers take up fishing, it is estimated, though with less certainty, that the number of male anglers of 14 years of age or less amounts to 10 percent of the said 1.3 million.

Further, it seems likely that the number of women and girls who fish occasionally can be estimated as 50 000 to 100 000. It can therefore be stated that:

OF ALL DUTCH PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF SEX, 1.5 MILLION FISHED ONCE OR MORE IN 1972 IN INLAND WATERS, IN DUTCH SALT WATER OR ABROAD.

4. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIOUR AND DESIRES OF THE ANGLERS

Social characteristics should be understood here as including age, occupation, marital status, etc.

The term “behaviour” is used to indicate the anglers' actions connected with their sport. It is given a wide interpretation in this study and consequently relates not only to the number of times people go fishing, but also, for example, to knowledge of the angling regulations.

The term “desires” relates to people's desires as regards facilities at the fishing water, fish population and management.

Lastly it should be pointed out that the term “anglers” relates here and in the succeeding chapters to the men of 15 years and older who live in he Netherlands and hold an angling licence or an angling certificate for the 1972/73 fishing season. The term is thus more narrowly interpreted than in the preceding chapter.

4.1 Who are the Anglers?

The anglers comprise mainly men. Only 2.5 percent of the fishing licences sold are used by women. To get a better vision of the male anglers, they are compared in Table 3, as regards a number of characteristics, with the non-anglers.

The comparison shows that the anglers include more people from the following categories: married persons, persons of middle age, persons with a primary education, manual workers and persons working in the industrial or trade sector. Rather fewer self-employed persons are found among anglers. However, the differences are so slight that there may be said to be a large similarity between the two categories. In other words, anglers are found in almost equal proportions in all strata and categories of the population.

Table 3

Some Social and Economic Characteristics of Anglers and Non-Anglers

In view of the sort of fishing licence the anglers hold, the only significant difference is that angling certificates are held by 82 percent of the 11 percent of anglers who are attending full-time courses and 61 percent of the other anglers.

4.2 Who are the Unlicenced Anglers?

As has already been seen, 8 percent of the men of 15 years and older belong to the unlicensed anglers. If it is queried whether the percentage is the same among, for instance, people who are studying and working, or manual workers and wage-earners, it is found that within each of these categories about 8 percent fish without a licence. It is interesting to note that the percentage of unlicenced anglers declines from 11 percent in the age bracket of 15 to 24 years, to 3 percent in that of 65 years and over.

A comparison between the social characteristics of unlicensed and licensed anglers shows in the first place that unlicensed anglers, like licensed, come from all strata of society. Of the former, however, over half are under 35, and of the latter, one third. The ratio of unlicensed anglers to document holders is roughly 1:1 in the North Brabant and Limburg region and 1:2 in the remaining regions.

4.3 Behaviour of the Anglers

In this paragraph the term behaviour is widely interpreted. The most important subjects are:

4.3.1 When do the anglers fish?

-    Sixty-two percent of the anglers fished in winter (November 1971 to March 1972), 98 percent in summer (June to August 1972) and 63 percent in autumn (September to October 1972).

-    Four percent of all anglers fish only during the holidays, 58 percent both during and outside the holidays, 28 percent only outside the holidays, and 8 percent do not take a holiday.

-    One third of the anglers sometimes fish on Saturday or Sunday, 12 percent only on weekdays, and over half both at the weekend and on working days.

-    Of the anglers who work in daytime or are attending a course of training (totalling 83 percent of all anglers), 8 percent sometimes fish before their day's work and two thirds sometimes fish after work.

-    On the first day of the fishing season in 1972 - a Thursday - one third of the anglers fished; one quarter fished for the first time in the weekend that followed, and 40 percent did not begin until later in the season.

-    One third of all anglers sometimes go fishing in very rainy weather, one third in very cold weather and over 40 percent when there is a high wind. The percentage who only fish in fine weather is 40, both of those fishing on working days and of those who only fish at the weekend.

4.3.2 Where do the anglers fish?

More than one quarter of the anglers only fish in one fishing water, one quarter in two and 47 percent in more than two.

How accustomed anglers are to fishing in the same fishing water can be seen from the calculation that in 70 percent of the number of times they go fishing, they fish in the same water.

The water in which they most often fish is on average 12.5 km from their homes; for two thirds of the anglers the distance to the water in question is less than 10 km and for one third it is less than 2.5 km.

The average distance to the water visited most often is longest for town-dwellers and shortest for anglers from municipalities. Of the total number of times that all anglers fish, in half of the cases they do so within a distance of 5 km from their homes.

The water most frequently visited, or the only water into which they fish, is said by 28 percent to be a canal, by 21 percent a lake, by 20 percent a river, by 10 percent a polder, and by 19 percent some other stretch of water.

Of the anglers who are using a boat, one third is fishing on the lakes, 24 percent on the rivers, 11 percent in the canals, 13 percent in the polder fisheries and 16 percent in some other stretch of water.

About one tenth of the anglers fished abroad in their holidays. One percent of all anglers organized a special fishing holiday abroad. The total number of the latter is estimated at 8 000. One third of the anglers in 1972 also fished in salt water or offshore waters; on an average this category did so 8 times.

4.3.3 How do the anglers cover the distance to the fishing water and how much time do they spend travelling?

More than half of the anglers go by car to the fishing water they visit most frequently; over a quarter go by bicycle or moped, and 15 percent walk.

More than half of the anglers take less than a quarter of an hour to reach the fishing water they visit most often. The average duration of the journey is 25 minutes; the distance is longest for the anglers from the towns.

4.3.4 How early do they start and for how long do they fish?

A general estimate of the anglers' times of arrival and departure in the summer shows that of the 78 percent who occasionally fish on Saturdays, one third arrive before 6 am and one third between 6 and 9 am; 40 percent leave on Saturday before noon, 50 percent between noon and 6 pm, and 10 percent after 6 pm. Those who fish on Saturday spend on an average 5¾ hours by the water.

Of those who sometimes fish on Sundays (60 percent) one quarter arrive before 6 am, and over one quarter between 6 and 9 am. The times of departure on Sundays are about the same as on Saturdays. The average time spent by the water is 5½ hours.

Of those who sometimes fish on weekdays (68 percent) many arrive rather late on such days; 31 percent do not arrive until after 6 pm. Naturally, weekday fishing generally means a late time of departure and a shorter stay. The average time spent by the water on weekdays is 4½ hours.

On both working days and weekend days in summer the majority of the anglers are by the water at 9 am.

Of those who fish on Saturday, 67 percent arrive before 9 am; by that time 53 percent of those who fish on Sundays and 33 percent of those who fish on working days arrive.

4.3.5 How frequently do anglers fish?

In the winter months (November to the close of the fishing season) the anglers fish on an average 12 times (=fishing trips) in inland waters, in the summer (June up to August) 24 times and in the autumn (September and October) 7 times. The total fishing frequency over the whole year (1971/72) for inland watersis therefore 43, including evening fishing.

Over the whole year, 37 percent fish fewer than 21 times, 25 percent from 21 to 40 times, 16 percent 41 to 60 times, and 22 percent more than 60 times.

Thirty-two percent of all anglers with a fishing licence in 1972 fished offshore or in coastal waters. As already stated they did so an an average 8 times. Twenty-eight percent of them fished there once or twice, 35 percent 3 to 7 times, 25 percent 8 to 22 times, and 12 percent more than 22 times.

Of the anglers who work or attend courses during the day (83 percent of all the anglers), 8 percent sometimes fish before their day's work and 64 percent sometimes fish afterwards. Those who fish before work do so on an average about 10 times a year; those who sometimes fish afterwards do so on average about 13 times a year.

The unlicensed anglers fish on an average 11 times in the first part of the season (June up to December); 31 percent of them fish fewer than 4 times, 31 percent 4 to 7 times, 20 percent 8 to 15 times, and 18 percent more than 15 times in the period concerned.

4.3.6 How do they fish, with what bait, and for what species?

Two fifths of the anglers occasionally fish from a boat. On the most frequently visited water, one fifth usually or always fish from a boat.

Ninety percent of all anglers usually sit during their fishing trip and fish from one site; one tenth sometimes try to trace the fish on foot.

Three quarters of those fishing from one site do not change for another site. Those who do, mainly change on account of the (poor) catch.

On busy days, the average distance between the shore anglers is 25 to 30 m. In those circumstances one fifth of the shore anglers fish at less than 5 m apart. To what extent they are content with this spacing will be seen from paragraph 4.4.3.

Sixteen percent of all anglers took part in an angling competition in the period from June to December 1972.

Sixty-one percent of all anglers sometimes go fishing in the company of non-relatives, who also fish. One quarter sometimes go fishing with their fiancées or wives, 38 percent of whom also sometimes fish. Those who go fishing with their own children (23 percent) state that the children hardly fish at all. On the other hand, 80 percent of those who quote their father, brothers and sisters as fishing companions (23 percent) state that the latter do fish.

With what do they fish?

For the most frequently fished species 76 percent fish with a “plain” rod (without reel), 16 percent with a (spinning) rod shorter than 2.5 m, 7 percent with a longer (spinning) rod, and 1 percent with an eel bobbing rod.

For the most frequently fished species 83 percent fish with one rod and 17 percent with two or more rods at the same time. In half of the cases the bait used is bread or bread paste, in 19 percent worms, in 15 percent grubs, in 5 percent potato, in 6 percent live bait, in 1 percent cheese and in 1 percent ragworm. Each of the other baits, including artificial baits, are mentioned by fewer than 1 percent.

For which Species do Anglers fish?

In the survey report many details are given as to the species of fish mentioned (those most often fished for, those preferred), sometimes broken down according to the period (summer or winter), number of roads, type of bait, releasing, region, etc. A number of these details are summed up in Table 4.

In this connexion it must be pointed out, however, that the study is mainly concerned with the species mentioned. As will be seen, not every angler knows the species by its correct name. When interpreting the details it must also be remembered that the percentages do not refer to the catch.

Roach is by far the most important species; seven anglers out of ten sometimes fish for roach. Then come bream (51 percent), eel (27 percent), carp (24 percent), pike (22 percent) and perch (20 percent). There are hardly any differences in the ratio of species fished for per season.

The question as to which species is generally fished for shows again that this is the roach; 45 percent of the anglers say they generally fish for roach. Then come bream, eel, perch and carp. In the three coastal provinces relatively fewer anglers fish for roach than in the other provinces.

Of the fish species mentioned, 80 percent of the fish which can legally be taken home are put back. The species most seldom put back are saltwater fish, 13 percent of those who mentioned these species say they put them back, eel (38 percent), pike (70 percent) and pike-perch (64 percent). In the case of these percentages, which seem rather low, it must be remembered that only relatively few anglers say that they fish most often for these species (see Table 4, column 2).

Species mentioned as lacking or in short supply are pike and carp (each by 13 percent of the anglers), trout, eel and pike perch (each by about 10 percent). In the case of trout this seems rather remarkable, because only 1 percent say they prefer fishing for this species.

It has to be pointed out that with the enclosure of two estuaries, Lake Veere (2 000 ha, brackish) and the Grevelingen lake (11 000 ha, salt) were created. These lakes now belong to the Dutch inland waters. These two lakes are stocked with trout (both rainbow and brown).

The following species have been attracting more interest in the last few years: salt-water fish (12 percent of the anglers say they have been fishing for these more often in recent years), carp (7 percent), pike (6 percent), pike-perch (4 percent), eel (4 percent), bream (3 percent) and trout (2 percent)

4.3.7 What equipment do anglers possess?

Besides a rod, which is common to nearly all anglers, many have wellingtons (83 percent), a keep net (75 percent), a landing net (64 percent) and a folding chair (74 percent). Very few own a fixed spool or baitcasting reel for inland water (64 percent), a tackle box or fishing bag (64 percent), or a waterproof suit (63 percent); 30 percent own a fixed spool or baitcasting reel, fewer than one quarter own a minnow bucket (23 percent), a fishing jacket (23 percent), a fisherman's umbrella (17 percent), waders or a fishing boat (17 percent). Only 3 percent own a boat trailer.

For every 100 anglers the equipment consists of: 230 rods and 100 reels for inland waters and 50 rods and reels for seafishing.

Besides a fishing licence, anglers sometimes hold one or more fishing permits or “walking-rights” papers; in 1972/73, 43 percent spent less than FL 11 on these things, 24 percent between FL 11 and 20, 21 percent between FL 21 and 30, and 12 percent more than FL 30.

Table 4

Some Data concerning the Fish Species

One third of the anglers own books on angling, 17 percent receive a journal from an angling club or the angling association, and 5 percent subscribe to an independent magazine for anglers.

4.3.8 To what extent are anglers familiar with regulations and with fish species?

Eighty-eight percent of all anglers know how many rods a holder of an angling certificate may fish with; 77 percent know what rights the angling licence procures in this respect. The legal size of a perch is known by 44 percent, the period in which fishing is prohibited under national regulations by 23 percent. Only 32 percent know what is meant in the regulations by a “common rod” and by a “special rod”.

When shown good colour photos, 90 percent give the correct name for pike, 57 percent for carp, 55 percent for trout and bream, and 37 percent for roach. In the case of the latter, 55 percent give the name of the very similar-looking rudd.

4.4 Anglers' Views, Valuations and Desires

A large number of the questions asked relate to their preference for the type of fishing water and the species of fish, their desires as to the facilities to be provided, the fish population and the management, the general policy priorities and their views on the issuing of fishing licences and on management.

Their preference for certain fish species has been dealt with in paragraph 4.3.6, and can therefore be left out of consideration here.

4.4.1 Preference for and valuation of a specific fishing water

Of those who fish in more than one water (72 percent), 61 percent have a preference for the water they fish in most often. As the principal reason, 68 percent quote its greater proximity to home. In addition, quite a number of people mention tranquillity (38 percent), more fish, better catches, larger fish species (together 36 percent), and cleaner water (11 percent).

From the question how, expressed in report figures, anglers in general rate the water in which they fish, it is apparent that on average the polders have the highest appreciation, the canals and rivers the lowest.

4.4.2 Desired distance of the water

In the foregoing it was found to be that the distance between home and the water plays a large part in the choice of the fishing water. From other questions it was found that even a fishing water with facilities entirely to the angler's likings does not have sufficient attraction for everyone to travel a long distance to fish there. On working days 39 percent do not go fishing, or are not willing to travel 5 km to reach such an “ideally” equipped fishing water; 62 percent find 10 km too far, in other words 38 percent are willing to travel 10 km on working days to fish in such a water. One fifth of the anglers are even willing to travel 20 km. During the weekend 80 percent are willing to travel 5 km, 69 percent 10 km, 51 percent 20 km and 34 percent 30 km.

4.4.3 Desires as to the fishing water, the fish population and the management

In paragraph 4.3.6 it was shown that on busy days the average distance between shore anglers is 25 to 30 m. The anglers who fish on such days at a distance of up to 5 m apart (20 percent of the shore anglers), 60 percent consider this distance acceptable.

If the distance between anglers is 6 to 10 m, as it is for 24 percent on busy days, as many as three quarters consider that sufficient. In total, 80 percent of the anglers consider the distance on busy days sufficient.

The anglers were asked what facilities, etc., they considered important for an “ideal” fishing water equipped entirely according to their own desires. Matters which are considered important by very many anglers (70 percent or more) (Table 5) are the situation of the water in the open air, the quiet surroundings, beautiful scenery, permission to use a rowing boat, the necessity of holding a fishing permit, inspection on the possession of a fishing licence, permit, bait and size of the fish, the qualities of the fish population, particularly the resistance the fish offers, clean water, the possibility of walking along the shores, protection against the wind by bushes, provision of litter bins, and the distance between anglers. What is understood by this latter can be judged more accurately from the data at the beginning of this paragraph.

Matters considered unimportant or even undesirable by many (70 percent or more) are the availability of a camping site for the family, permission to swim in the fishing water, its situation in town area, permission to use a motor boat, the provision of steps down to the water, a high or steep shore and the presence of a refreshment tent. More precise information is given in Table 5.

The anglers have given a general appreciation for the fishing water where they fish most frequently. It was found to be that a high appreciation is associated mainly with the assumed presence of many fish species, many fishes, the edibility of the fish and the quality of the water.

A low valuation is associated with the absence of natural environment, with the use of motor boats, the lack of management and supervision, and in particular the absence of many fish species, big fishes, many fishes, edible fishes and of clean water. The absence of a winding shoreline is also sometimes associated with a low valuation.

Table 5

Importance attached to the Facilities, the Qualities of the Fish Population, and the Management

4.4.4 General policy priorities mentioned by the anglers

As the final question of the interview the anglers were asked to outline the policy measures they considered most essential, or to state the problems they considered most urgently called for a solution. One sixth of them have no specific desires or problems in this connexion. One third of the others' desires relate to the control of water and shore pollution, one sixth to simplification of the licensing system, 8 percent on inspection, and 7 percent to improvement of the fish population.

The question on the policy measures considered most essential reflects the priorities in their sequence. However, the question does not show what else is considered important, unimportant or undesirable. That information was included in the preceding paragraph.

4.4.5 Anglers' views on the price of fishing licences, the method of selling them, and the control

The angling certificate, which in 1972 cost FL 4 (plus fees) is still considered too expensive by 10 percent; 25 percent consider the price of the angling licence (FL 10.75) too high.

About 90 percent consider compulsory possession of a fishing document to be right. Possession (in many cases compulsory) of a permit or walking permit is considered by 55 percent to be good or normal.

The method of applying for a fishing document (from the municipality, police station or post office) is regarded by 69 percent as convenient and by 12 percent as troublesome.

The supervision of fishing documents and permits is considered inadequate by 59 and 53 percent respectively.

5. A MORE DETAILED OBSERVATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF ANGLERS

It is obvious that not all anglers behave in the same way when fishing, and that there are differences, for instance, in the number of times they go fishing per season.

One of the more interesting categories - members of angling clubs - are considered below more closely by comparing them with non-members.

In view of the rise in the sale of angling licences, noted in the introduction, and the possible influences, it is understandable that a comparison has also been drawn between the anglers with an angling licence and those with an angling certificate.

Likewise in view of what was said about this in the introduction, a few types of anglers are described at the end of this chapter.

5.1 Members of Angling clubs, their Behaviour and Desires

Of the total number of anglers holding a fishing document, 49 percent are members of an angling club, 10 percent have been members, and 41 percent have never been members.

Fifty two percent of the members and 63 percent of the non-members are under 45 years.

Of all the anglers in the random sample, 38 percent hold an angling licence¹, of the members 55 percent, of the ex-members 38 percent and of the rest 17 percent.

¹ The ratio of the anglers with an angling licence to those with an angling certificate in the random sample has been established on the basis of the figures of the 1969/70 fishing season. The present ratio is different because, as already stated, a change is taking place in the sale of fishing documents in favour of angling licences

On an average, members fish 51 times a year and non-members 35 times.

Members fish more for carp, pike and pike-perch; they also spend more on their equipment and have a greater knowledge of fish species and regulations.

Ninety one percent of the members belong to one angling club, 7 percent to two, and 2 percent to three or more.

Three quarters of the members belong to an angling club in order to obtain a fishing permit.

The members were asked what activities the club carries out and which it should pay more attention to.

Fifty five percent of the members considered that the club should focus on water pollution and also on stocking fish (50 percent), keeping the shores clean (43 percent) and acquiring fishing rights (42 percent). On the other hand, half or more of the members considered that the club did enough about organizing angling competitions (67 percent), instructing (65 percent), placing at the disposal of boats (62 percent), constructing landing stages (60 percent), organizing social evenings (60 percent), indicating the location of fishing sites (58 percent) and limiting plant growth in the water (51 percent).

5.2 Anglers with an Angling Licence and Anglers with an Angling Certificate

In the 1968/69 fishing season, 31 percent of the anglers bought an angling licence and 69 percent an angling certificate. In 1972/73 the ratio was 42 percent as against 58 percent. One may wonder who buys an angling licence and whether the anglers with this licence make use of the extra facilities its possession offers.

Anglers with an angling licence are found among those over 25, and therefore less among the juveniles, the schoolchildren and the unmarried ones. However, no great differences are apparent between the two kinds of licence holders as regards income, occupation, work sector and educational level.

Of the anglers with an angling licence, 29 percent as a rule fish with two rods, which is allowed. Two percent of the anglers with this licence fish with more than 2 rods, and 8 percent of the anglers with an angling certificate fish with more than one rod, which is not allowed.

As regards the species usually fished for, the following differences have been found between anglers with an angling licence and those with an angling certificate of the former, 10 percent quote carp as the species most frequently fished for, and of the others 5 percent; pike, 4 and 1 percent respectively; pike-perch 3 and 1 percent, roach 39 and 48 percent, and bream 20 and 18 percent. Since there are no differences regarding other fish species, it can be stated that anglers with an angling licence fish more for carp and predators, and rather less for roach, than the anglers who hold an angling certificate.

To fish for certain species it is necessary to hold an angling permit which is often obtained by the membership of an angling club. It is no wonder, therefore, that of the anglers with an angling licence, 71 percent are members of an angling club and of those with an angling certificate, only 35 percent.

The two categories differ in other respects too; anglers with an angling licence fish more often (51-38 times a year), a larger percentage of them also fish in the sea (43-25 percent), on Saturdays a larger percentage of them start fishing before 6.00 h (45-26 percent), as on Sundays (35-18 percent) and working days (22-12 percent). On average they continue fishing on those days one hour longer than the others, and they include fewer anglers (25–50 percent) who only fish in fine weather.

Moreover, it turns out to be that of the anglers with an angling licence 20 percent participate in angling competitions, and of those with an angling certificate 13 percent.

As regards their desires it was found that anglers with an angling licence emphasize more management, supervision and the qualities of the fish population, while they appreciate less swimming in the fishing water.

The more marked orientation towards angling of fishermen with an angling licence turns also out to be from the fact that many of them have a more extensive and consequently more expensive angling equipment and a somewhat better acquaintance with regulations and fish species.

5.3 A Typology of Anglers

In angling, such terms as competition angler, fine-weather angler, hobby angler, keen angler, recreation angler, etc., are not unknown. It is assumed that when using these terms the angler referred to is distinguished from other anglers by a combination of characteristics; he belongs to a certain category with many others who also do certain things and do not do other things, when they fish.

One can imagine that there is a large category of anglers who only fish in fine weather, only at weekend, near home, from the shore. Such a category gives an idea of the expected use (little, weekend, in fine weather) and the desired facilities of the fishing waters situated near town areas.

It would seem possible, when equipping the fishing water, to take such categories into account, particularly if it comprises many anglers, and all the more if they should also be found to have a specific package of wishes regarding the various facilities and/or management of the fish stock. They might, for instance, include people who appreciate family recreation facilities.

By giving this hypothetical example an attempt has been made to show why much attention was paid to study a typology of anglers. How this was done cannot be indicated within the scope of this paper. It must, however, be stated that there was no explicit search for a certain or concrete type but an endeavour was made to ascertain whether more or less fixed combinations of characteristics occur, namely characteristics of fishing behaviour.

Within the aggregate of data on fishing behaviour, two groups of characteristics can be pointed out that show a certain correlation on the basis of which types of anglers can be distinguished. On the basis of the first small group of correlated behaviour characteristics, anglers can be grouped according to the degree of intensity of their fishing behaviour, thus a relative distinction. The second small group of correlated characteristics indicates a difference in the distribution of the fishing behaviour.

An angler can be classified a very intensive angler if 9 or at least 8 of the following characteristics apply to him:

-    he possesses an angling licence;

-    he is a member of an angling club;

-    he fishes more than 30 times a year;

-    he fishes in more than two waters;

-    he owns more than two rods;

-    he fishes on the first day or in the first weekend of the season;

-    he answers correctly more than 5 of the 10 questions on fish species and regulations;

-    he also fishes in less fine weather;

-    he fishes in winter

If his behaviour does not comply with more than one of these characteristics, we call him a less intensive angler. Ten percent of the anglers belong to the very intensive type and 11 percent to the opposite type. The latter includes particularly the anglers who hold an angling certificate; are not members of an angling club; fish less than 30 times a year, etc.

In the first place it is ascertained whether these opposed types differ from each other as regards their desires regarding equipment, management and fish population. Only if a very clear difference between both types is ascertained, a closer study of the intermediate types, to which 79 percent of the anglers belong, should be effected.

The numbers of, and the scope of the extreme types and the intermediate types can be seen from the following table.

On the basis of the correlation in certain distribution data a distinction between weekend anglers and everyday anglers was made. To the former belong the anglers who fish more than 5 km from home and only on weekend days, and not after work. This type accounts for 10 percent of the anglers.

Those who fish at a distance of less than 5 km from home and fish at weekends and on working days and also after work are classified as everyday anglers. This type accounts for 18 percent of the anglers. It is obviously far more difficult to draw policy conclusions from this type than from the one described at the beginning of this paragraph. It was suggested for example that there would be a relation between the intensity and the distribution (anglers who do not fish often, mostly in the direct neighbourhood of their home anglers who fish frequently, always far from home). This could give an indication of the use of a water to be expected. Both typologies prove the counterpart; there is no relation between intensity and distribution of fishing.

The question remains whether the various types have different desires as to facilities management and fish stock.

The category which attaches importance to a natural environment, to boat facilities or the quality of the fish stock, is 10 to 15 percent larger than among the less intensive anglers.

Especially the management of the fish stock by the anglers association, and the inspection of licences, type of bait, and size of the fish is given much more importance by the intensive angler than the less intensive.

The weekend anglers attach more importance to a natural environment than do the everyday anglers; however, nearly half of the everyday anglers also consider these aspects important. Other differences have not been found, for example, as regards family recreation facilities; the percentages of both types which consider these provisions important or unimportant are equally large.

For instance, the preservation of a natural environment at the fishing water would seem to deserve more attention than the construction of metalled parking places for cars in the neighbourhood of the water, whilst the latter could be given more priority than the creation of opportunities for parking cars right alongside the water (paragraph 4.4.3).

If the desires of types of anglers are studied, i.e., in relation to a group of fishing-behaviour characteristics, it was found almost impossible to pursue a separate policy for the separate types.

6. SOME DEVELOPMENTS IN ANGLING AND IN ANGLERS' BEHAVIOUR

This chapter deals with one of the central themes of the study, viz., what developments can be foreseen in the future. The first question on that arises is whether the number of anglers will continue to increase.

6.1 Growth in the Number of Anglers

As stated, the number of angling licences and angling certificates issued increased between 1964/65 and 1972/73 by 47 percent. Taking into account the population growth in the same period, the participation in angling of the population increased by 31 percent. A further development which is important in this context is the fact that the younger generations start fishing at an earlier age. This, together with the fact that starting young is particularly decisive for the question whether one continues to fish, indicates that a further increase in the number of anglers must be expected. This assumption is supported also by the fact that 7 percent of the non-anglers say that they intend to start with angling soon.

6.2 The Increase in the Number of Anglers with an Angling Licence

In 1972/73 nearly twice as many angling licences were sold as in 1964/65. The number of angling certificates issued, increased by only 20 percent in that period. It is expected that the disproportional rise in the sale of angling licences will continue. This expectation is based on the following combination of facts. Firstly it has been found that, as stated earlier, younger generations start fishing at an earlier age, and that on the whole those who begin young will also continue fishing until later in life. It can, therefore, be assumed that the average number of years people fish will increase throughout the population. Since it has also been found that it is not the age at which people take up fishing which leads to the purchase of an angling licence but more often the number of years they have been fishing, the conclusion would appear to be justified. Moreover, many anglers with an angling licence fish more often than the others, therefore a more intensive fishing of the fish stock may be expected.

6.3 Developments relating to the Species that Anglers fish for, the Fishing Water, the Distance to the Fishing Water, use of a Boat and Angling in Company

The rapid increase in the number of anglers with an angling licence also affects the species fished for. It has been seen that the anglers with a small angling licence fish somewhat less for reach and more for predatory fish. From questions regarding the species no longer fished for and the plans for future fishing for species not earlier fished, an identical trend appears. On the basis of these questions a net increase in interest may be expected for bream (2 percent), trout (4 percent), carp (9 percent), pike (6 percent), pike-perch (6 percent) and particularly saltwater species (11 percent).

Some change has been found in the distance travelled to reach the fishing water. Of those who have been fishing for longer than 4 years and living for more than 4 years in the same municipality, 25 percent now fish in more distant water (particularly car-owners) and 10 percent in water less far away.

Of the same category, which comprises 82 percent of the respondents, one quarter say they fish less frequently in the past few years than before; one fifth fish more often. Since in future one fifth want to go fishing more often, a rise in the fishing frequency seems to be probable. The reasons for the change in the fishing frequency are mainly personal ones, such as working conditions and interest.

As regards the use of boats, it has been found that 19 percent fish more frequently from boats in recent years and 9 percent less often. If these anglers' plans for the future are fully realized, the percentage of boat-users among the anglers in the near future will rise from 39 to 45.

Of the category who have been fishing for longer than 4 years, 85 percent sometimes take with them other people who also fish; 18 percent have been doing this more often in the past few years, 5 percent less often and 62 percent equally often. These figures indicate that fishing with another angler is increasing. As regards fishing in the company of people who do not fish themselves (35 percent of the category concerned sometimes do so), hardly any changes have occurred in recent years.

6.4 A Development in the Private Organization of Angling

If in the past anglers who wished to fish for certain species, such as pike, or wished to gain admittance to private fishing waters, they were able to do so primarily by becoming members of an angling club. Even then, they will only gain the right to fish in the waters (which were not usually very extensive) managed by that club. If they wanted to fish in other private waters as well, they had to join a second club. Not all clubs, however, admitted anglers from elsewhere.

After intensive preparations a marked change has recently come about in this respect. In January 1975 the Netherlands Association of Angling Federations (in Dutch N.V.V.S.) came into being. One of its objectives is to allow the largest possible number of anglers to fish in the most suitable fishing water possible, on payment of a reasonable price.

The anglers who have joined the N.V.V.S. through an angling federation (about 400 000) receive the “Large Permit” every year. This entitles them to fish in a great number of waters of the federation associated with the N.V.V.S. These now comprise 75 000 ha of mainly larger (public) waters (rivers and lakes), distributed over the whole country. This is about half of the available fishing water in The Netherlands, not including Lake Ijssel.

It is clear that this important development may induce anglers to fish more frequently, or encourage others who do not yet fish to start with angling.

7. ANGLING AS A LEISURE PASTIME

Angling is a popular form of pastime. One aspect investigated in an attempt to examine more in detail what is special about angling has been whether the situation a person is in plays a part in his decision whether or not to go fishing.

It has already been found that social and economic backgrounds do not affect the decision. A proportionate percentage of anglers is found in all the various population categories, viz, those of persons with higher or with lower incomes, manual workers or white-collar workers, married persons with children and married persons without children, persons with their own means of transport and those without, town-dwellers and villagers, and so on. Apparently angling has a more or less equal attraction for all categories.

In view of a number of circumstances relating to the dwelling, work and leisure time, the conclusion found has been the same. The type of dwelling, the location as regards facilities for outdoor recreation, the space in the dwelling, the physical or mental difficulty of people's work, the regularity of their work, the number of days off, the hours of leisure after work, and similar data, are the same for anglers and non-anglers.

Another way to find out what is special about angling was by inquiring whether perhaps anglers and non-anglers differ as to the things they want or the aspects they wish to be confronted with in their leisure time. This matter is raised by the question: do anglers and non-anglers seek the same things in their leisure time (paragraph 7.1)? The next question is derived from it, i.e., what do anglers seek in angling (paragraph 7.2)? What is special about angling can also be sought in the question, what are their views on angling (paragraph 7.3)?

In the next place one may wonder if anglers hold a different view from non-anglers of the way they wish to spend their leisure time, if they want to become acquainted with different aspects or to do different things, does this become apparent from their other leisure-time activities (besides fishing)? In this connexion paragraph 7.4 raises the point, do the leisure-time occupations of anglers and those of non-anglers differ?

7.1 Do Anglers and Non-Anglers seek the same in their Leisure Time?

In views stated on such aspects as creativity, rivalry and intercourse with other people. Anglers and non-anglers as categories do not differ. Both find it equally important to be occupied with manual skill in their leisure time, to meet other people, to learn something, and so on. On the other hand, considerably more anglers attach importance to look for quiet and natural surroundings in their leisure time, or to be in the open air. Moreover, as a whole they attach rather more importance to escape from noise, to forget their cares, work and daily routine, and to physical rest.

7.2 What do Anglers seek in Angling?

From anglers' replies to the question what they consider important when fishing, it is evident that the very point on which they differ somewhat from non-anglers, namely that they like to enjoy quiet and natural surroundings, plays the chief role. They also find fishing good for their health, for forgetting cares and for escaping from the daily routine.

A little more than half of them attach importance that they can be alone when they fish. A little less than half consider the possibility of fishing in the company of friends and of meeting other people. As regards the actual fishing, it has been found that 70 percent want to catch a lot of fish, 60 percent want big fishes, and two thirds are cut to improve their catching methods.

Only a relatively small number want to catch bigger fishes than others (21 percent) and, by going fishing, to leave the bustle of the family behind (20 percent).

Finally, almost every angler rejects the idea of fishing to get food or to catch fish for sale.

7.3 What Views are held concerning Angling and Anglers?

Almost all anglers experience or recognize in angling a number of aspects regarded as liberating. They consider angling a suitable means of attaining quiet and eliminating cares. They also see in it an exciting activity that is beneficial to health.

Nearly half of the anglers find fishing difficult; one third considers that one has to drive a long way to be able to fish, and a quarter considers it an expensive occupation. Anglers do not consider fishing cruel, old-fashioned, or suitable only for certain categories.

Those who do not fish also consider that angling has a liberating significance, but to a noticeably lesser degree. In addition, more than two third of them regard fishing as a dull, wet activity requiring a great deal of patience. About one third quotes, probably as hindrances, the necessity of getting up early, the great distance to the fishing water and the difficulty of angling. Further, a quarter of the non-anglers feel that fishing is a cruel activity, unsuitable for women.

On the whole, both anglers and non-anglers have a favourable idea of the character of the angler. More anglers than non-anglers consider the angler as a sportsman.

One third of the anglers consider that anglers damage the shores; one-fifth consider they pollute the water. Finally, 15 percent of the latter consider that anglers ill-treat animals when they fish. Only half the percentage of the anglers themselves share this view.

Nearly all anglers' wives consider fishing a suitable pastime for their husbands. Although they are confronted somewhat more with fishing, 27 percent of them consider it unsuitable for women. This is the same percentage as the one among men who never fished.

Two percent of the wives find it is often a nuisance that their husbands go fishing; 9 percent consider this is sometimes the case.

It is interesting that 21 percent of the wives even consider that their husbands go fishing too seldom; five percent say their husbands go fishing too often.

Altogether 25 percent of the wives would like to accompany their husbands when they go fishing but do not manage to do so, owing mainly to domestic duties. That this does not result in their regarding themselves as “anglers' widows” is evident from the fact that 91 percent of the wives never feel left behind when their husbands go fishing; 7 percent have this feeling sometimes and only 2 percent always.

7.4 Are there obvious differences between the way Anglers and Non-Anglers spend their Leisure Time?

If thirty other leisure-time activities besides fishing are considered, anglers and non-anglers spend their leisure in a very similar way. This is true of the nature of the activities pursued indoors and outdoors, physically active and physically passive, artistic, creative. It also applies to the frequency with which the two categories pursue these activities and the measure in which they tend to pursue them alone or in company with others. Also in the number of activities pursued, the categories do not differ. This applies not only to the winter period but also to the summer period, whereas anglers clearly spend more time fishing in summer than in winter.

Considering all these similarities, it may be stated that anglers and non-anglers do spend their leisure time in a similar way, except, of course, for the fact that the anglers fish.

Whether angling is in essence a totally different leisure-time activity or just an activity like so many others could probably be inferred by comparing the way angling and other activities are experienced. But such figures are not available. However, as was found earlier, there are differences between anglers and non-anglers in the figures relating to what they want in their leisure time and to the views they hold on fishing, which indicate that anglers tend more than other people to seek the open air, and attractive scenery. By fishing they are able to satisfy these requirements.

8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

1. In The Netherlands about 800 000 licensed and 400 000 unlicensed anglers fish in the inland waters. Besides this large number some other hundred thousand anglers fish in the sea, or abroad. Of the 800 000 licensed anglers, the main subject of this study, only 2.5 percent are female. Besides this fact it is clear from the study that sport fishing is done by all social classes and groups of the Dutch population.

2. The licensed angler on an average fishes 43 times a year mainly in the summer months or at weekends. They travel about 12.5 km often by car to their favourite fishing water. About 70 percent of the anglers do not go to another site during the same fishing trip. The most important species are roach/rudd and bream, of which 45 percent and 19 percent respectively of the anglers fish. Of these species more than 85 percent are put back into the water.

3. The following question is important. Will angling in The Netherlands, like various other forms of leisure activity, rapidly gain popularity, or not. Assuming the absence of disturbing factors, such as a marked change in the fish population, the answer is in the affirmative. The conclusion is based mainly on the fact that younger generations are beginning to fish at an ever earlier age, and on the number of non-anglers who say they have serious plans to start angling in the near future. The former fact is important, for the saying “Learnt in youth, done in old age” is very applicable to angling. In other words, the younger people are when they start fishing, the longer they continue to do so.

4. A second, and equally important, question is whether the proportional rise in the sale of angling licences will continue. Since people nowadays begin to fish at an earlier age, the average number of years they continue to fish will increase in the long run. As it has been found that it is the number of years people fish which largely determines whether they buy an angling licence or not, we feel that this growth in the proportion of angling licences will continue.

5. Much attention has been paid to the question whether on the grounds of fishing behaviour a distinction can be drawn between types of anglers. A correlation has been found between a number of aspects of fishing behaviour which together indicate its intensity. In view of this correlation, a distinction can be drawn between intensive and less intensive anglers. Since there is also a correlation between a small number of characteristics of fishing behaviour which are connected with its distribution in distance and time, anglers may be typologized in a second manner. We call the anglers who most clearly show this correlation “weekend anglers” and “everyday anglers”.

6. Such terms as “hobby anglers” and “recreation anglers”, which are used in publications on anglers and which should indicate a correlation between many other behaviour characteristics, cannot be substantiated from the correlations discovered in this study. This indicates that they have little practical significance, in the sense that they comprise no large categories of anglers on which a government policy can be focused.

7. An important question is whether the distinct types referred to under (e) are also characterized by different desires regarding management, the fish population and the equipment of the fishing water. The only important connexion seems to be that more intensive anglers lay far more emphasis on the importance of management and inspection. They are more convinced than others that the possession of a fishing permit should be compulsory, that there should be a check on it, on the size of the fish removed and on the bait used, and they also attach great importance to management of the fishing water by an angling club.

8. The absence of further connexion between intensity and distribution of fishing behaviour on the one hand and desires regarding equipment and the fish population on the other hand, leads to a conclusion similar to that under (f). In other words, the anglers' fishing behaviour and their wishes vary greatly. Moreover the connexion between these two matters, irrespective of point (e), is so slight that types of anglers can hardly be distinguished for the benefit of the management.

9. Not only has the management no usable relation between behaviour and desires, but in addition a great diversity can be observed in the separate behavioural aspects and in the wishes regarding the separate aspects of the facilities. No direct indications can therefore be found as to the facilities of specific fishing waters which, indeed, was not the intention of this study. Because of this diversity, however, it seems necessary to offer also a great diversity in sport fishing facilities. From the following items it will be seen that important indications as to facilities can none the less be drawn from behaviour and desires.

10. As stated, not only a further increase in the number of anglers can be expected, but also a continued rise in the sale of angling licences. The result of the former has already been described. That of the latter can be deduced from the fact that anglers with an angling licence belong to the more intensive anglers. The most important aspects of their fishing behaviour are the considerable larger fishing frequency, the greater interest in carp and predatory fish and the two times larger number of boat-owners in this category (24 percent as against 12 percent for the anglers with an angling certificate). These aspects are still more important in view of the plans of a number of anglers to buy a boat in the near future (10 percent, some of them to replace an old boat) and their plans to start fishing for predatory fish (8 percent of all anglers).

11. The increase in the number of anglers, the rapidly growing number of anglers with an angling licence and the greater fishing frequency have, as stated, consequences also for the occupation of the shore and the distance between the anglers along the shore. One can assume that the waterside is getting more crowded. For the present on the whole the over-occupation of the shore is seen. This is apparent from the fact that on busy days anglers fish on average 25 to 30 m apart and that 80 percent of them are satisfied with that space. Considering for example that, of those who on busy days fish at a distance of from 11 to 20 m apart, 86 percent are still satisfied with that space, a further increase in the number of anglers would not seem likely to lead to a shore-occupation unacceptable to the anglers. Perhaps the fact that many go fishing with their own companions contributes to the contentment with a rather closer space. In this context it seems right to revert to the figure of 83 percent of anglers who attach importance to wide space.

    Although, when questioning the anglers, no special attention was given to what they understand by a long distance, an idea of this can be obtained from the above particulars.

12. The reader will not be surprised by the fact that it has been found from anglers' desires and evaluation that the qualities of fish population play an important role. If certain qualities of fish population are present (plenty of fish, big fish, offering of resistance by fish, edibility of fish), the fishing water is more highly evaluated. If these are not present, the water is evaluated considerably less highly. This is also true of the anglers who say they attach little importance to them.

13. Clean water is something many wish for but by no means always find. Considering the important role of clean water shown by the evaluation, and the policy priorities sketched by anglers, it seems right that much attention should be given to combating water pollution. More than half of the angling club members wish their clubs to give more attention to this point.

14. From data of many different kinds the natural surroundings of the fishing water play an even greater role for the anglers than the qualities of the fish and of the water. It has also been found that because polder waters possess these elements they are the most highly evaluated and are preferred by many to other types of water.

15. The fairly general disapproval of the use of motorboats and of swimming in fishing water once again emphasizes the importance of the quiet desired in the neighbourhood of the water. Since, on the other hand, quite a number of anglers nevertheless consider a playing field or a picnicking place for the family and separate swimming facilities desirable, it seems right to plan a fishing water in a number of recreation projects to be used for many purposes. This is also indicated by the fact that a fair number of anglers take their families with them when they go fishing.

    Considering the quiet required for fishing, attention should be given to allotting a rather more secluded place to the fishing water in such projects.

    Furthermore, it must be pointed out in connexion with the desires regarding family recreation facilities, that there are rough indications that their behaviour in this respect is not in line with this. It has been found that the number of anglers taking non-fishing company with them to the fishing water has not increased in recent years.

16. In general, the location of fishing waters should be not only in quiet surroundings, but also outside the town. On the other hand there are indications that many anglers, particularly the older ones, advocate the fishing water being situated as near as possible to the dwelling. The main indication lies in the fact that 50 percent of the fishing behaviour takes place within a radius of 5 km of the dwelling, in the distance people are willing to travel to reach an ideally equipped fishing water, and in the fact that a third of the anglers and 30 percent of the ex-anglers consider the distance they have to drive to reach the fishing water rather long.

17. Just importance is attached to the management of the fish stocks. Eighty three percent want inspection on the size of the fish removed, and on the bait used. More than half of those wanting this say that there is no such control.

    Of the 90 percent who want a check on the possession of an angling licence or fishing permit, about 40 percent do not find it.

18. In the percentage of angling club members who consider that their club should do more to keep the shores clean, and in the fairly general wish for litter bins to be provided beside the fishing water, a positive attitude that can perhaps be turned to good account is found.

19. A number of matters that also call for differentiated equipment relate to facilities regarded by very many anglers as desirable, but by very many others as unnecessary or even undesirable. For instance, 40 to 60 percent would like the water to be accessible by public transport, would like a paved parking place, a launching site for boats and a boat-hire establishment. Wishes are similarly divided as regards the flow of the water, the presence of landing stages, steps down to the water, a paved shore, shelters and toilets. In almost all these respects at least 25 percent of these facilities are lacking; they want the facility but do not find it. Many others find these facilities unimportant.

20. The study has shown that the number of unlicensed anglers is about half that of the licensed. Because the number of unlicensed anglers is based on a single survey, an increase or decrease in the number of fishing documents sold in the various years cannot be explained by a decrease or increase in the number of unlicensed anglers. Many unlicensed anglers have been found unaware of the fact that possession of a fishing document is compulsory, and there are misapprehensions by many others in this respect. This is hardly any wonder, as even many of the anglers with a fishing licence have been found unacquainted with the more general regulations. It has also been found that many anglers do not know some common fish species.

    A more intensive and more specialized extension service, that takes into account these particulars of the anglers and unlicensed anglers, seems desirable. Account could also be taken of the fact that most anglers begin fishing at an early age.

21. Another point that still merits attention from the extension service is salt-water angling, since it has been found that in 1972 nearly 8 percent of Dutchmen sometimes engaged in this form of angling.

22. In this first national angling survey many aspects of angling have become more clear, through which a basis has been laid for comparison when recording developments. As also regards the number of fishing waters anglers use and the distance they travel, it would appear interesting to ascertain effects of the increased fishing possibilities for many anglers since the recent founding of the N.V.V.S. Further, it is very important to find out whether developments occur regarding angling in company of the family.

    The last-mentioned particulars might provide a better understanding as to how to to meet both the fairly general desire for quiet at the fishing water on the one hand and the very widespread desire for recreation facilities on the other.

9. SOME DEFINITIONS

(taken from the Memorandum on Angling (1972) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries)

-    Fishing rod: the tackle consisting of a rod - possibly provided with a reel - a line attached to the rod - possibly provided with one or more floats - and at most three single, double or triple hooks.

-    Common rod: a rod, with hook or hooks provided with one of the baits designated in the Order of 26 May 1965 by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (including dough, bread, cheese, pieces of fish of up to 3 cm, artificial flies of up to 2.5 cm, etc.

-    Special rod: rod, baited with different bait from that designated by the Minister.

-    Eel bobbing rod: tackle consisting of a line, to the bottom of which is attached a bunch of worms strung onto one thread, with a small piece of lead above it to make it heavier.

-    Public water: the navigable and floatable streams and rivers, as referred to in Section 577 of the Civil Code - in the general water that is used with some permanence and frequency for economic transport of goods or persons - and the canals and channels as referred to in Section 579 of the Civil Code.

-    The party entitled to the fishing rights: the person who, as owner of a stretch of water or in virtue of a tenancy agreement with that owner, has the right to fish in that water. In the case of the public waters, the State (Crown lands) or the State's lessee is as a rule the party entitled to the fishing rights.

-    Permit: document granted to a third party by the person entitled to the fishing rights, to fish in the water in question. Under Section 21 of the Fisheries Law, a person who fishes in a water of which somebody else is entitled to the fishing rights must be in possession of a written permit from the latter, valid for the fishing pursued.

Exception: In public waters, fishing with one common rod is allowed under Section 21, paragraph 2 (d), without a written permit. The State, which is the party entitled to the fishing rights for these waters, has as it were given permission by means of a statutory provision to everyone.

However: the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries can exempt certain waters from this general statutory permit, to ensure the management of the fish stock. This occurred, e.g., in the case of Lake Veere, the Grevelingen, the Brielse Mass, the Rotte and Lauwersmeer. When fishing in these waters with one normal rod, one must therefore be in possession of permit from the party entitled to the fishing rights - in this case the State.

-    Right of access: the right (of anglers) to walk on the shores of the fishing water. This right must be obtained from the owner or from the lessee or tenant farmer of the land, who is often not the same person as the party entitled to the fishing rights.

-    Fishing documents for inland fishing, issued by a public authority: angling certificate, angling licence and large fishing licence. Everyone who fishes into the inland waters must not only be authorized according to private law (as owner of the water, as lessee of the fishing right or as holder of a permit obtained from the party entitled to the fishing rights) but must in addition, as appears from Section 10, paragraph 1, and Section 15, paragraph 1, of the Fisheries Law, also hold a document issued by a public authority, as proof that the Government has granted him permission to fish (c.f. the Licence).

The following documents are issued by public authorities:

1. Angling certificate: needed for fishing with one common rod; persons under 15 are exempted from this.

2. Angling licence: needed for fishing with one special rod, two common rods or one eel bobbing rod (in earlier publication called small fishing licence).

3. Large fishing licence: needed for all tackle allowed by law.

10. REFERENCES

Algemeen Hengelaarsbond (General Anglers' Union), Annual reports

Bovins, M.J. and others, 1968 Characteristics of hunters and fishermen in six northeastern States. University of Vermont

Blok, E., 1970 Viswater als recreatie-object (Fishing water as a recreational amenity). Recreatievoorzieningen (Recreational Amenities) 1970, No. 3

Blom, B., 1973 Het gebruik van de Nederlandse rivieren en overige binnenwateren als viswater per 1 januari 1971 (The use of the Netherlands rivers and other inland waters as fishing waters as from 1 January 1971). Department of Sportfisheries and Professional Inland Fisheries. Documentation Report No. 16

Blom, B., 1972 25 jaar wetgeving binnenvisserij (25 years' legislation on commercial inland fisheries). Visserij (Fisheries) No. 3

Blom, B., 1972 Vissen - akten - vergunningen (Fishing, Licences, Permits). Visserij, No. 4

Dill, W.A. and J. Norling, 1974 Expanded, annotated bibliography on the economic evaluation of sport fisheries (EIFAC/74/I-2)

Directie Visserijen (Fisheries Directorate), Annual reports

Directie Visserijen, 1970 Sportvisserij in Nederland (Angling in The Netherlands). The Hague

Doll, F., 1970 Hunting and fishing values in Wyoming. University of Wyoming

Gaudet, J.L., 1972 First European Consultation on the economic evaluation of sport and commercial fisheries. Consultation report, articles, bibliography. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Netherlands

Haar, E. ter, Het gebruik van sportvisserijvoorzieningen in Ocst-Flevoland (The use made of angling, amenities in Eastern Flevoland). (unpublished)

Heidemij Nederland B.V., 1972 Structuurschets voor de ontwikkeling van voorzieningen ten behoeve van de sportvisserij in Friesland (Structural outline for the development of angling amenities in Friesland). Arnhem

Hoef, J.J. van der, 1973 Visplaatsen in Oostelijk Flevoland (Fishing sports in Eastern Flevoland) Recreatievoorzieningen (Recreational Amenities) No. 3

Hoofdafdeling Sportvisserij en Beroepsbinnenvisserij (Department of Sportfisheries and Commercial Inland Fisheries Branch), 1972 Vissoorten in Nederland (Fish Species in The Netherlands). The Hague

Hurck, J.A. van, 1972 De ontwikkeling van de sportvisserij (The development of angling). Visserij (Fisheries), No. 3

Instituut voor Toegepaste Sociologie (Institute for Applied Sociology), 1972 Sportvisserij in Nederland, voor-onderzoek op een drietal objecten van sport-visserij in Zuid-Holland (Angling in The Netherlands; preliminary survey at three angling amenities in the province of South Holland). Nijmegen

Kamphorst, T.J., 1969 De sportvisserij in Midden Utrecht. Mededelingen van het Sociologisch Instituut van de Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht. (Angling in Central Utrecht. Bulletins of the Sociological Institute of Utrecht), No. 55. Utrecht

Kerstens, A.P.C., Recreatie en platteland (Recreation and the countryside). Wageningen

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, 1972 Nota inzake de sportvisserij (Memorandum on Angling). The Hague

Nederlands Research Instituut voor Toerisme en Rekreatie (Netherlands Institute for Tourism and Recreation), 1971 Sportvissen op de Waddenzee (Angling in the Dutch Skallows). Breda

N.O.P. Market Research, 1971 National Angling Survey, 1969–70. London

Oostrum, H.J. van, 1968 Sportvisserij-onderzoek in de provincie Drenthe (Angling Research in the province of Drenthe)

Organisatie ter Verbetering van de Binnenvisserij (Organization for the Improvement of Inland Fisheries), Annual reports

Outdoor Recreation Review Commission, 1962 National Recreation Survey. Washington

Sewell, W.R.D. and J. Rostroo, 1970 Recreational fishing evaluation. Department of Fisheries and Forestry, Ottawa

Steinmetz, B., 1974 De in het visseizoen 1972/73 per gemeente uitgereikte publiekrechtelijke visdocumenten (The fishing licences issued per municipality in 1972/73). Hoofdafdeling Sportvisserij en Beroepsbinnenvisserij. Documentatierapport (Documentation Report) No. 17

Steinmetz, B., 1973 De sportvisserij in het polder-en plassengebied “Nieuwkoop-Noorden” (Angling in the “Nieuwkoop-Noorden” Polders and Ponds Area). Visserij, No. 2

Steinmetz, B., 1972 Hengelaars enquête Veerse Meer, augustus 1970 (Anglers survey at Lake Veere), August 1970. Visserij (Fisheries) No. 7

Steinmetz, B., 1973 Sportvisserstellingen op de Grevelingen 1972 (Anglers Censuses at the Grevelingen) 1972. Recreatievoorzienlingen No. 5

Steinmetz, B., 1973 Een oriënterend onderzoek naar de mogelijkheden voor de sportvisserij in het Grevelingen bekken. (An orientation to the sport fishing possibilities in the Grevelingen lake). Visserij No. 8

Stichting Landelijke Hengelsportorganisatie (National Angling Organization), 1974 Studiedag Sportvisserij (One-day Angling Course). Amsterdam, 1974

University of Maine, 1969 The Maine Sportsman; characteristics of hunters and fishermen. Maine

Veldhuis, R., 1974 Vissen, visplaatsen en visplassen (Fishing, fishing sites and fishponds). (Working Group on the Provision of Facilities at Outdoor Recreation Sites). Report 4, De Bilt, 1974

Wippler, R., 1966 Vrijetijd buiten (Leisure time in the country). Groningen

Yoesting, D.R. and D.L. Burkhead, 1971 Sociological aspects of water-based recreation in Iowa.

Journals

Algemeen Hengelaars Bond (General Anglers' Union), De Nederlandse Hengelsport (Dutch Angling)

A.N.W.B. (Royal Dutch Touring Club), Recreatievoorzieningen

Interdijk B.V., Vissport (Angling)

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Visserij (Fisheries)