The use of European river lamprey as bait by the UK coarse predator angling community

Albright, A.J.; Lucas, M.C.

Abstract

Recreational fishing is a commonplace leisure activity within the developed world but can generate tension when activities conflict with conservation agendas. A potential conflict arises over the use of European river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis (L.), a protected species, by UK coarse (freshwater non-salmonid) predator anglers. This study used geographically stratified interviews with 69 predator anglers to explore attitudes towards the use of lamprey as bait, their conservation status and knowledge of biosecurity regulations. Most participants used lamprey as bait to some degree and agreed that, if threatened by exploitation, a ban on their use as angling bait should be implemented. Ordinal regression analysis indicated the presence of a subset of anglers who value lamprey as bait more than others and may oppose conservation efforts. The benefits of the potential establishment of bait certification schemes are also considered.

Citation

Albright, A., & Lucas, M. (2021). The use of European river lamprey as bait by the UK coarse predator angling community. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 28(6), 542-555. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12512

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Aug 29, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Deposit Date: Aug 5, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 29, 2022
• Journal: Fisheries Management and Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0969-997X
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2400
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 542-555
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12512
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1238057