Globally, freshwater recreational fishing is at risk due to climate change and a new study finds that not enough is being done to save it. Fishing plays an important sociocultural, ecological and economic role in ecosystems and communities around the world, and the industry is rapidly growing and changing.
Like all species, recreational fish are under threat from climate change and there is growing urgency to understand risks so conservation efforts and resources can be appropriately focused.
“This study is the first global assessment of the vulnerability of recreational fish species to climate change, and it is unique because it compares freshwater fish and saltwater fish,” said Beth Nyboer, lead author and postdoctoral fellow at Carleton University. “By linking the vulnerability of specific fish species with current conservation efforts, we were able to pinpoint regions and species that need to be conservation priorities.”