Analyzing recreational fishing effort -- Gender differences and the impact of Covid-19

TL;DR

This study investigates gender differences and Covid-19 impacts on recreational fishing effort in Canada, revealing gender-specific responses to the pandemic and identifying travel distance as a key factor influencing fishing activity.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how gender and Covid-19 influence fishing effort, using Bayesian analysis to identify main determinants and highlighting gender-specific pandemic responses.

Findings

Gender differences in demographics and skills, but similar fishing preferences.

Covid-19 altered trip frequency for nearly half of fishers, with gender-specific effects.

Travel distance is the main determinant of trip frequency, negatively affecting fishing effort.

Abstract

Recreational fishing is an important economic driver and provides multiple social benefits. To predict fishing activity, identifying variables related to variation, such as gender or Covid-19, is helpful. We conducted a Canada-wide email survey of users of an online fishing platform and analyzed responses focusing on gender, the impact of Covid-19, and variables directly related to fishing effort. Genders (90% men and 10% women) significantly differed in demographics, socioeconomic status, and fishing skills but showed similar fishing preferences, fishing effort in terms of trip frequency, and travel distance. Covid-19 altered trip frequency for almost half of fishers, with changes varying by gender and activity level. A Bayesian network revealed travel distance as the main determinant of trip frequency, negatively impacting fishing activity for 61% of fishers, with fishing expertise also playing a role. The results suggest that among active fishers, socio-economic differences between genders do not drive fishing effort, but responses to Covid-19 were gender-specific. Recognizing these patterns is critical for equitable policy-making and accurate socio-ecological models, thereby improving resource management and sustainability.