When push comes to shove in recreational fishing compliance, think ‘nudge’

Enforcing compliance with rules and regulations in recreational fisheries has proved difficult due to factors suchas the high number of participants and costs of enforcement, the absence of regular monitoring of recreationalfishing activity, and the inherent difficulties in accurately determining catch levels. The effectiveness of traditionalpunitive deterrence is limited, yet current management is heavily reliant on this compliance approach. Inthis paper, the potential of behavioural based management is considered through a narrative review of therelevant literature; specifically, exploring the use of nudges, which aim through subtle changes and indirectsuggestion to make certain decisions more salient, thereby improving voluntary compliance. This concept isexplored with specific reference to the compliance of fishers within Australian recreational fisheries. There areonly a few examples of behavioural based approaches found. However, based on their theoretical foundations,nudges may represent an inexpensive, and potentially highly effective tool for recreational fisheries management.Nudges do not offer a ‘quick fix’ to cases where traditional policy instruments have failed. Rather, there isthe potential for behavioural nudges (based on framing, changing the physical environment, presenting defaultoptions, and social norms) to augment and complement existing deterrence regimes. A number of potentialnudges for compliance management in recreational fisheries are suggested, but caution is advised. As with anynovel management approach, nudges must be rigorously tested to demonstrate their cost-effectiveness and toavoid unintended consequences