Ways of Moving from Laissez-Faire to Management: An Investigation of Potential Management Strategies for Recreational Sea Angling in Taiwan

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to identify potential management strategies pertaining to angling in Taiwan where angling is virtually devoid of management. A three-step approach is used—semi-structured interviews, modified Delphi technique, and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process—to develop an inclusive list of potential strategies and construct a three-level structure with strategies and associated weights. It is intended to inform managers of what strategies they may take if management on angling is needed. The results show that angling sites and resource use are considered relatively important dimensions in the second level. Among 13 items, safety education, the establishment of safe angling sites, information provision, angling fees, environmental education, separation of different uses, restriction on catch sale, and conservation efforts, are the top eight rankings in the third level. Management implications from the findings were discussed, with an emphasis on the priority strategies such as establishing safe angling sites and safety education. These strategies reflect the current shared societal, economic, and environmental aspirations of a wide range of stakeholders and facilitate charting the journey towards a managed angling domain.