Recreational fishers’ perceptions of climate change

Abstract Shifts in marine species distributions associated with climate change occur across large spatial areas and long time periods. Marine recreational fishing occurs most countries many participants interacting regularly the environment, yet there have been few studies on views of fishers towards change. This study aims to assess perceptions for a boat-based fishery Western Australia, where wide latitudinal range, from tropical temperate waters. Perceptions were assessed by fisher demographics behaviour. One two respondents noticed changes types distributions, metropolitan residents avid more likely notice these changes. Two out three considered is occurring, recognition which was higher amongst residents, females, younger respondents. Males older respondents, other hand themselves knowledge science. provides baseline assist informing policy that might be required address impacts Studies this kind can also build support citizen science programs enhance data collection temporal scales observe