Creel Surveys for Social-Ecological-Systems Focused Fisheries Management

Abstract

Recreational fisheries are social-ecological systems (SES), and knowledge of human dimensions coupled with ecology are critically needed to understand their system dynamics. Creel surveys, which typically occur in-person and on-site, serve as an important tool for informing fisheries management. Recreational fisheries creel data have the potential to inform large-scale understanding of social and ecological dynamics, but applications are currently limited by a disconnect between the questions posed by social-ecological researchers and the methods in which surveys are conducted. Although innovative use of existing data can increase understanding of recreational fisheries as SES, creel surveys should also adapt to changing information needs. These opportunities include using the specific temporal and spatial scope of creel survey data, integrating these data with alternative data sources, and increasing human dimensions understanding. This review provides recommendations for adapting survey design, implementation, and analysis for SES-focused fisheries management. These recommendations are: (1) increasing human dimensions knowledge; (2) standardization of surveys and data; (3) increasing tools and training available to fisheries scientists; and (4) increasing accessibility and availability of data. Incorporation of human dimensions information into creel surveys will increase the ability of fisheries management to regulate these important systems from an integrated SES standpoint.

Keywords:

• Social-ecological systems
• recreational fisheries
• human dimensions
• management

Acknowledgments

We thank L. S. Wszola of University of Nebraska-Lincoln for conducting a U.S. Geological Survey peer review. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation under grant 1716066. Funding for G.G. Sass was provided by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.