Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70039302

Worldwide trends in fishing interest indicated by Internet search volume

G.R. Wilde·K.L. Pope
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature that shows internet search volume on a topic, such as fishing, is a viable measure of salience. Herein, internet search volume for 'fishing' and 'angling' is used as a measure of public interest in fishing, in particular, recreational fishing. An online tool, Google Insights for Search, which allows one to study internet search terms and their volume since 2004, is used to examine trends in interest in fishing for 50 countries. Trends in normalised fishing search volume, during 2004 through 2011, varied from a 72.6% decrease (Russian Federation) to a 133.7% increase (Hungary). Normalised fishing search volume declined in 40 (80%) of the countries studied. The decline has been relatively large in English-speaking countries, but also has been large in Central and South American, and European countries. Analyses of search queries provide a low-cost means of gaining insight into angler interests and, possibly, behaviour in countries around the world.

Explore related subjects

Fisheries Management and EcologyArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

G.R. Wilde, K.L. Pope. 2012-12-11. Worldwide trends in fishing interest indicated by Internet search volume. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12009

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Sex-specific Atlantic salmon upstream passage and fallback at a natural cascade after dam removal

In the Boquet River (NY, USA) a low-head dam set above a ~200-m bedrock cascade was removed in 2015. We used radio-telemetry to assess landlocked Atlantic salmon passage at the remaining cascade (2020, 2022). Across years, 52% of males (13/25) attempted cascade passage whereas females made no discernable attempts (0/11). Attempt probability increased with stream discharge and decreased with fish size, though overall passage success was low (1/36). Shallow depths—likely owing to an artificially widened channel—appear to be limiting passage. Additionally, we transported fish upstream but observed high fallback (72%) that was associated with fish size and energetic status. Following dam removal, this cascade continues to limit upstream passage resulting in increased vulnerability to angling during migratory delay. Overall, we highlight the importance of follow-up studies after dam removal, and that further modifications at this site may be required to improve passage.

New York↗
USGS2026

Using eye lens stable isotopes to identify the rearing origin of fall age-0 walleye ( Sander vitreus )

Isotope values in fish eye lenses may be useful in differentiating rearing origins. We compared eye lens isotopic values of fall fingerling age-0 walleye ( Sander vitreus ) reared in a hatchery pond, a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and a natural lake. Using 10 fish per rearing source, we delaminated layers from one eye lens per fish to assess temporal changes in carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) and pulverized the whole second eye lens for δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and sulfur (δ 34 S). RAS-reared walleye values exhibited high precision among individuals and were δ 34 S enriched. Pond-reared walleye had lower δ 13 C and δ 15 N core values compared to other rearing sources. For δ 13 C and δ 15 N, values remained consistent among layers for RAS-reared walleye, δ 15 N slightly increased for pond-reared and lake-reared walleye, and δ 13 C increased substantially among subsequent layers in pond-reared walleye. Bayesian 95% ellipses did not overlap among rearing sources. These results demonstrate that eye lens stable isotope analysis may be a useful tool for differentiating hatchery-reared and wild large fingerling walleye, specifically from RAS- and pond-reared sources.

South Dakota↗
USGS2025

Three decades of World Recreational Fishing Conferences: What have we learned about the dynamics of recreational fisheries?

Recreational fishing extends beyond catching fish, connecting individuals with nature, generating environmental stewards and contributing significantly to both local, regional and national economies. Assessing potential impacts on ecosystems and social-ecological systems requires dedicated multi- and interdisciplinary research and integrative management and policy approaches. Managing recreational fisheries effectively also necessitates transdisciplinary thinking, yet this poses continued challenges, as researchers and managers balance specialized expertise with innovative, boundary-crossing perspectives in light of limited funding in a rapidly changing social-ecological environment. The World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) serves as the leading global scientific forum for addressing these challenges, fostering interdisciplinary exchange among scientists, managers, policy makers and stakeholders. The papers in this special issue represent the output of the last WRFC in Melbourne, Australia in 2023. By reviewing the content of the papers published in the present special issue, we illustrate the critical role of collaborative spaces, such as the WRFC, in bridging different expertise and approaches and fostering innovation, thereby securing adaptive management and conservation of recreational fisheries in response to global changes. Evaluating the development of the WRFC over three decades highlights how this conference series represents a leading think tank serving the entire network of recreational fisheries professionals globally.

Fisheries Management and Ecology↗