Working Group on Recreational Fisheries Surveys (WGRFS)

<p dir="ltr"><i>Version 2: Section 2.3.2 Data calls and benchmarks added (omitted in Version 1).</i></p><p dir="ltr">The ICES Working Group on Recreational Fisheries Surveys (WGRFS) is tasked with compiling and validating data from European marine recreational fisheries (MRF) to support ICES assessment and advisory processes. In 2025, WGRFS undertook a wide range of activities focused on consolidating national survey programs, assessing novel methodologies, and providing guidance on data quality, availability, and use. The increasing importance of MRF in fisheries management is recognized, particularly in the context of the revised EU Fisheries Control Regulation and the implementation of new digital reporting systems.</p><p dir="ltr">Key discussions included the development of harmonized protocols for data collection and reporting, notably through the RecFishing IT system, which integrates mobile and web applications for catch reporting and data exchange. The report details the challenges of coordinating data collection across diverse regions and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the need for standardized methodologies and robust quality assurance. The ICES WGRFS Quality Assurance Toolkit (QAT) was used to assess French and Netherlands national survey programs, ensuring consistency and reliability in catch estimates.</p><p dir="ltr">The importance of co-design and engagement was recognized, particularly with the recreational angling community, to improve data quality and management outcomes. Case studies, such as pollack management in the UK, illustrated the complex interplay between scientific evidence, policy decisions, and stakeholder perceptions. The group advocated for multidimensional datasets that encompass biological, socio-economic, and behavioural metrics.</p><p dir="ltr">Sessions reviewed the impacts of climate change on species distribution, the integration of MRF data into stock assessments, and the evaluation of post-release mortality and animal welfare. The role of MRF in food safety and human health was assessed, highlighting both risks and nutritional benefits associated with recreationally caught seafood.</p><p dir="ltr">In conclusion, the ICES WGRFS 2025 report advances the scientific foundation for MRF management by promoting standardized data collection, stakeholder engagement, and integration of recreational fisheries into broader ecosystem-based management frameworks. This aims to enhance the sustainability, resilience, and societal value of marine recreational fisheries.</p>