The World Recreational Fisheries Conference (WRFC 11), held from 22–26 February in South Africa, once again brought together leading scientists, policymakers, industry representatives and stakeholders from across the globe.
As the premier international scientific conference dedicated to recreational fisheries, WRFC takes place every three years and provides a unique platform to exchange knowledge, identify trends and shape future management approaches for both freshwater and marine recreational fishing.
Angling tourism: a powerful economic driver
A key theme emerging from this year’s conference is the increasing recognition of recreational fishing as a major economic activity, particularly through angling tourism.
Several presentations focused on the socio-economic value of fisheries, highlighting not only participation rates but also direct spending and local economic impacts.
One striking example presented research on salmon and sea trout fisheries in the Mörrum River (Sweden):
Average angler expenditure per fish caught: €5,900
Expenditure per retained fish: €31,200
More than 50% of total spending remained in the local economy
These figures clearly illustrate that angling tourism generates significant revenue for local communities, supporting jobs, businesses and regional development.
Beyond catch data: the need for socio-economic evidence
The conference reinforced a point increasingly recognised at EU level: catch data alone is not enough
To properly assess the value and impact of recreational fisheries, robust socio-economic data is essential, including:
Angler expenditure
Travel and tourism patterns
Local business impacts
Willingness to invest in conservation and management
Such data is critical to ensure that policy decisions fully reflect the economic and social importance of the sector.
A global sector with shared challenges and opportunities
WRFC 11 also highlighted the global nature of recreational fisheries, with common challenges across regions:
Sustainable fish stock management
Balancing access and conservation
Data collection and monitoring
Climate and environmental pressures
At the same time, the sector offers significant opportunities:
Growth in nature-based tourism
Strong links to rural and coastal economies
High public engagement in conservation
Looking ahead
As a result, the discussions at WRFC clearly confirm that recreational fishing is not only a cultural and environmental activity, but also a substantial economic force.
For EFTTA, these insights further strengthen the call for:
Better integration of socio-economic data into fisheries management
Recognition of angling tourism as a key economic sector
Policies that are balanced, evidence-based and workable in practice
Recreational fishing matters – for nature, for people, and for the economy.
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