Personal and situational determinants of catch-and-release choice of freshwater anglers

Abstract

Hypothetical scenarios were used to understand the effects of personal and situational variables on freshwater anglers' choices to keep or release caught fish. When personal and situational variables were included in a single model, the odds of an angler choosing to release a caught fish were negatively related to importance placed on keeping fish and varied according to species preference, species caught, and whether the species caught was the angler's preferred species. Interactions between importance placed on catching a trophy fish and size of fish caught, and between species caught and whether the species caught was the angler's preferred species also influenced catch-and-release choice. Catch-and-release choice was not influenced by experience level, centrality of fishing to the angler's lifestyle, importance placed on number of fish caught, and importance placed on catching "something." Results were not entirely consistent with previous studies, suggesting that determinants of catch-and-release choice may vary across angler populations. Results suggest that both personal and situational variables must be considered for a comprehensive understanding of how anglers arrive at the decision to keep or release caught fish.