From reels to research: Motivations and concerns of billfish citizen science participants

Abstract

1. Citizen science facilitates cost-effective ecological data collection at much larger scales than would otherwise be feasible. This is particularly useful for the study of highly migratory species with broad distributions, such as billfishes.
2. Participants in citizen science benefit from an increase in scientific literacy, a sense of satisfaction and enhanced understanding. However, there are common challenges involved in citizen science projects, including the recruitment and long-term retention of participants. Applying knowledge about participant motivations and concerns is needed to overcome these barriers.
3. We conducted an anonymous online survey of 153 game fishers from across Australia, who were largely recruited through game fishing clubs. The survey investigated their perspectives on participating in citizen science on billfish, including their motivations and concerns.
4. Overall, those surveyed were highly motivated to participate in billfish citizen science programmes and reported few barriers to their engagement in research. Alongside wanting to contribute to billfish research and management, game fishers were motivated to participate to counteractive potential negative perceptions of the sport. However, approximately one third of respondents had not participated in research. Therefore, opportunities for further recruitment exist as potential participants almost certainly exceed current participants. Impediments to participation included a lack of communication about opportunities and outcomes of citizen science research.
5. The survey highlighted a need to strengthen citizen science programmes to ensure participant retention and recruitment through targeted engagement and collaboration across organisations, which includes harnessing technology. Improved communication about the purpose and outcomes of research is key. We anticipate that our findings and recommendations are applicable to broader citizen science programmes, particularly those involving recreational fishers or a specialised pool of highly motivated participants.
6. Great opportunity exists for researchers, fisheries managers and fishing organisations to work together to expand citizen science programmes that strategically improve our knowledge of the biology and stocks of billfish and other recreationally important fish species.