Sławomir Różański
Katedra Rybactwa Jeziorowego i Rzecznego, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie
ABSTRACT. The most attractive lakes for fisheries and recreation are medium and large ones. As result of recreation management, lake shores change rapidly, which creates serious problems for fisheries. Changes that are the result of fisheries management are less harmful to lakes; however, some people who spend time on lake shores still complain. The aim of this paper was to document the opinions of tourists and regional inhabitants about the coexistence of fisheries, recreation, and sport fishing on the lakes and to propose some ways of resolving existing and potential conflicts. The data for the analysis were collected by interviewing subjects using a long survey comprised of 47 questions, four of which were used as the basis for the present analysis. Two closed and two open questions were posed. Some 73.8% of respondents said that fisheries activities did not impact recreation, 14.9% said that the impact was negligible, while only 11.3% said it was harmful. Respondents reported that fishers disturb the use of the lakes, deploy dangerous nets, destroy and steal fish, pollute the environment, and are unpleasant, aggressive, and expect tourists to act in a special way. Fishers also create problems for anglers, and similar results were noted for sport fisheries: 79.4%, 10.5%, and only 10.1%. Anglers also create problems for swimming, diving, using piers, complain about tourists, pollute the environment, use dangerous sharp hooks, and decrease the numbers of fish. They are also unpleasant, aggressive, and even throw stones. The percentage of respondents who encountered problems was relatively small but still significant. Many of the problems are just stereotypes that people repeat, and most important problems can even be solved without spending money. It is enough to understand that some limitations are necessary, and fishers can take part in the process of creating solutions. They can also obtain financial benefits. While constructing recreation facilities, the law must not be broken. This will decrease real problems created by recreation for fishers, among others. Co-operation between fisheries and recreation will make it easier to obtain financial support from the EU. Much can still be done to improve lake management, but fishers’ opinions must be examined, and to this end further survey research is necessary to obtain a clear picture.
Key words: fisheries, recreation, sport fisheries, stereotypical opinions, conflicts and avoidance, lakes, survey research
Przyjęto po recenzji 26.07.2008 r.