Socioeconomic implications of recreational shore angling for the management of coastal resources in a Mediterranean marine protected area

Abstract

Roving creel surveys of recreational shore fishing were conducted in 2007 in the marine reserve of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) to assess the socioeconomic implications of this leisure activity. Even though an angler spends on average around 600€ per year in fishing supplies and car fuel, the economic impact for the villages belonging to the marine reserve is limited because most (95%) anglers were visitors who were not lodged in any coastal village of the Park and therefore did not spend on local services and accommodation. However, the willingness of more than half of the anglers to pay a fee for fishing in the marine protected area supports the social and economic value of angling in the protected area

This study was funded by the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. Additional financial support was provided by project Ref. CTM2009-08602 and a Ramón y Cajal Research contract (J. Lloret) from the Spanish Ministry of Science & Innovation