Participation rate and demographic profile in recreational angling in The Netherlands between 2009 and 2017

Abstract Since 2009 the Netherlands has conducted extensive online screening surveys to establish the number, trends and demographic profile of recreational anglers, resulting in a large dataset of almost 500.000 data records between 2009 and 2017. Participation in both marine and fresh water recreational angling were analysed using general linear models (GLM). Results showed a steady decline in the participation rate in fresh water angling. The participation rate in marine angling was smaller, and declined from 2009 to 2011, but remained similar afterwards. Analysis of demographics (age, gender, education and region) showed that males were overall much more likely to participate in recreational angling than females. Additionally, the age distribution differed for marine and fresh water. In marine water young adult males (age group (25,45]) had the highest participation rate, whereas in fresh water the youngest age group, (5,15], had the highest participation rate, closely followed by young adult males (age group (25,45]). Additionally, lower educated persons were more likely to participate in recreational angling than higher educated persons. This study provides more insight in the culture of Dutch recreational angling. Furthermore, the participation model can be used to predict future angling participation.