Understanding Recreational Angling Participation in Germany: Preparing for Demographic Change

Abstract

This study examined demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors facilitating the likelihood of participating in recreational angling. The analysis was based on a nationwide telephone survey in Germany. The probability of being an angler was significantly higher for males with full-time working status, living in Eastern Germany, in rural areas and near to the coast. Educational level and household size were negatively related to angling participation. Increasing net monthly household income increased the odds of participation in fishing. Close access to saltwater was more influential for angling participation than access to freshwater. Given projected trends of demographic change likely affecting the general population structure in Germany, most of the associations found in this study suggest decreased participation in recreational angling in the future. It is a matter of societal values whether targeted marketing and management approaches are implemented to intervene into the likely outcome of demographic change in Germany.

Keywords:

• access
• activity
• demographic change
• human dimensions
• participation
• outdoor recreation
• recreational fisheries

The financial support by the German Angler Association (DAV) is gratefully acknowledged. Manfred Scharein, Christian Wolter, and Thomas Mehner gave valuable comments on a previous manuscript version. The author thanks USUMA GmbH and their interviewers for data collection, and the referees for stimulating and supportive reviews.

Notes

Fedler, A. J. (2000). Participation in boating and fishing: A literature review. Unpublished report prepared for the Recreational Fishing & Boating Foundation. Virginia: Alexandria.