Inland recreational fisheries contribute nutritional benefits and economic value but are vulnerable to climate change.

Inland recreational fishing is primarily considered a leisure-driven activity in freshwaters, yet its harvest can contribute to food systems. Here we estimate that the harvest from inland recreational fishing equates to just over one-tenth of all reported inland fisheries catch globally. The estimated total consumptive use value of inland recreational fish destined for human consumption may reach US$9.95 billion annually. We identify Austria, Canada, Germany and Slovakia as countries above the third quantile for nutrition, economic value and climate vulnerability. These results have important implications for populations dependent on inland recreational fishing for food. Our findings can inform climate adaptation planning for inland recreational fisheries, particularly those not currently managed as food fisheries.

In situ management options to improve crucian carp (Carassius carassius, L.) and brown trout (Salmo trutta, L.) population status in Central Europe: A case study from the Czech Republic.

The crucian carp (Carassius carassius, L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta, L.) are vanishing from freshwater ecosystems of central Europe. To conserve both species, tailor-made conservation management of habitats and populations of both species was implemented and tested in the Czech Republic (central Europe). This management was adjusted to reflect the ecological needs of both species. This study aimed to describe the results of a tested in situ management and to analyze the population growth of brown trout and crucian carp under ideal conditions. An experiment was performed at 14 small gravel pit lakes. Seven of them were adjusted to fit the crucian carp habitat requirements while the other seven were treated as a control group. The same experiment was done on 14 smaller streams and with brown trout. The occurrence and growth of crucian carp and brown trout were surveyed over 2 years. A significantly faster growth of both crucian carp and brown trout was observed on the adjusted lakes and streams in comparison to the control group ones. Trout and carp prospered on small streams and gravel pit lakes (respectively) that were free of angling, fish stocking, pollution, piscivorous predators, and competition with hybridizing species like Prussian carp (Carassius auratus, L.) or hatchery-reared brown trout.

Global dataset of species-specific inland recreational fisheries harvest for consumption.

Inland recreational fisheries, found in lakes, rivers, and other landlocked waters, are important to livelihoods, nutrition, leisure, and other societal ecosystem services worldwide. Although recreationally-caught fish are frequently harvested and consumed by fishers, their contribution to food and nutrition has not been adequately quantified due to lack of data, poor monitoring, and under-reporting, especially in developing countries. Beyond limited global harvest estimates, few have explored species-specific harvest patterns, although this variability has implications for fisheries management and food security. Given the continued growth of the recreational fishery sector, understanding inland recreational fish harvest and consumption rates represents a critical knowledge gap. Based on a comprehensive literature search and expert knowledge review, we quantified multiple aspects of global inland recreational fisheries for 81 countries spanning ~192 species. For each country, we assembled recreational fishing participation rate and estimated species-specific harvest and consumption rate. This dataset provides a foundation for future assessments, including understanding nutritional and economic contributions of inland recreational fisheries.