Place meanings of shore recreational fishers in the urban fringe

Abstract While recreational fishers recognize the many benefits of their practice, there is less recognition of these benefits by decision-makers in natural resource management. Fisheries motivations and benefits have not been sufficiently captured in urban and urban/suburban interface (urban fringe) areas. To help address this gap, this work captures fisheries motivations and benefits in the urban fringe of Rhode Island using a place meaning methodology. In-person interviews were conducted in Spanish and English with anglers who use public access sites in the urban fringe near Providence, Rhode Island. This area was found to support diverse users with needs for access, suitable water quality, and safety. Mental and physical health benefits were also found. The results inform fisheries management and landscape planning via a greater understanding of the conceptualization of coastal spaces and suggestions for future attributes of coastal spaces. Future directions to explore include the relationship between place meanings and well-being, the relationship between place meanings and fishing motivations, and gathering place meanings across diverse users and locations. Understanding recreational fishing motivations and benefits in the urban fringe informs fisheries and coastal management decision-making under potential landscape changes or fishery stock decline.