FAO.org

Recreational fishing is defined as fishing of aquatic animals (mainly fish) that do not constitute the individual's primary resource to meet basic nutritional needs and are not generally sold or otherwise traded on export, domestic or black markets. Recreational fishing constitutes the dominant use of wild fish stocks in all freshwaters of industrialized countries, and it is prominent in many coastal ecosystems. The importance of recreational fisheries is increasing rapidly in many transitional economies. The present Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries are focused on recreational fisheries and describe strategies to promote environmentally sustainable and socially responsible management of such fisheries. To this end, the document details policy, management and behavioural recommendations for sustainable recreational fisheries that are an increasingly important component of global fisheries. Specifically, the Guidelines translate the relevant provisions of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries into specific advice for recreational fisheries. The concept of aquatic stewardship is introduced as an overarching ethical framework needed to achieve ecologically sustainable recreational fisheries on a global scale. Within this normative mindset, the adaptive management philosophy based on quantifiable and transparent objectives and continuous learning and feedback loops is proposed along with the acknowledgement of principles such as the ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach. Detailed sections on policy and institutional frameworks (tailored towards policy-makers), recreational fisheries management actions and strategies (tailored towards fisheries managers), recreational fisheries practices (tailored towards individual recreational fishers) and recreational fisheries research (tailored to researchers and managers) provide tangible advice for responsible recreational fisheries. The special considerations necessary for recreational fisheries in developing countries and economies in transition are acknowledged. Adherence to the guidelines and recommendations presented in the present document will enable policy-makers, managers and the entire recreational fisheries sector to orient recreational fisheries towards maintaining or achieving sustainability.