The World's Forgotten Fishes - 27

FISHING
FOR FUN...
IS BIG
BUSINESS
Angling is one of the world's
favourite pastimes

CHAPTER FIVE
Whether the motivation is adventure,
challenge or simply rest and relaxation,
recreational fishing is often the closest
connection many people around the
world have with their environment and
wild freshwater fishes. Indeed, hundreds
of millions of people (including around
90 million anglers in China, 39 million
in USA and almost 26 million in
Europe) do it every year, casting bait and
flies into rivers and lakes in an attempt
to lure unsuspecting fish onto their
hooks. And they spend vast amounts of
money in the process.
Globally, recreational fishing generates
over US$100 billion each year40 pumping
much-needed cash into local and national
economies, and boosting employment.
In Europe, recreational fishing supports
hundreds of thousands of jobs41, including
37,000 in England and Wales, providing
over US$1.3 billion to the economy42, and
4300 jobs in Scotland, where salmon
anglers spend around US$6,400 per
person on average every year43. In the
USA, 13 per cent of the population
identify as inland recreational anglers44,
and together they generate around US$83
billion in economic activity each year
and support over 500,000 jobs45.
Some of the world's freshwater fishes
hold almost mythical status among
anglers - such as the African tigerfish
or legendary hump-backed mahseer.
Some anglers are prepared to travel
far and wide to catch these prize fishes
contributing to local economies as they
do so. For example, the African tigerfish -
its mouth bristling with razor-sharp teeth
- is the number one target for anglers on
the Zambezi River system. In northeast
Namibia, it is estimated that up to
70 per cent of tourist lodge revenue comes
from anglers hoping to hook a 'tiger' -
revenue that is a major source of income
for local communities46. Maintaining
healthy freshwater ecosystems and
healthy tigerfish populations directly
benefits communities, who rely on this
fearsome fish not only for funds but
also for food security.
Meanwhile, the hump-backed mahseer -
the largest of the iconic mahseer species
- has been luring anglers to India's River
Cauvery since the 1970s. The income
generated from international anglers
has supported the transformation of
former poachers into angling guides and
The World's Forgotten Fishes page 27
The World's Forgotten Fishes

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The World's Forgotten Fishes
