Understanding Catch-and-Release Behavior Among U.S. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Anglers

In this paper, we test the hypothesis that bluefin tuna anglers who show a high commitment to fishing or a low consumptive orientation will be more likely to have a positive attitude toward catch-and-release and will be more likely to release caught fish. We also test the relationship between catch-and-release behavior and a number of situational variables. Anglers for whom fishing was more central to their lifestyle and anglers who placed lower importance on keeping fish were more likely to have a positive attitude toward catch-and-release and were more likely to release all bluefin tuna caught on a 1-day fishing trip. The likelihood of releasing all tuna was also negatively related to fishing party size and number of tuna caught. Catch-and-release behavior was not related to hours fished or whether another species of tuna was retained, and catch-and-release attitude and behavior were not related to previous fishing experience, or the importance placed on number of fish caught, catching "something," or catching a trophy fish. Results provide insight into the factors that influence an angler's decision to retain or release caught fish.