Carleton University’s Steven Cooke has led a study on the impact of technology that is used by anglers and the recreational fishing industry. This technology has led to rapid and dramatic changes in how recreational anglers interact with fishery resources.
What was once practiced with bamboo rods and simple braided horsehair lines is now characterized by precision-made reels, ultra-sensitive graphite composite rods, almost invisible fishing line, underwater cameras, state-of-the-art echo sounders and fishing apps that allow anglers to quickly share their experiences and successes with others.
“From improvements in finding and catching fish, to emulating their natural prey and accessing previously inaccessible waters, to anglers sharing their exploits with others, technology is completely changing all aspects of recreational fishing,“ said Cooke, professor of Fish Ecology in Carleton‘s Department of Biology. “These innovations may seem positive, though costly, from the perspective of anglers but for fisheries managers and policy makers, it creates challenges as they attempt to keep up with change.“