One in five adult Australians participate in recreational fishing each year, generating $11 billion dollars to the economy and providing over 100,000 jobs according to Australian Department of Agriculture data.
A Western Australian study from Murdoch University highlighted that recreational fishing has been shown to improve socialisation, outdoor activity and quality of life whilst also strengthening inter-generational bonds by means of (fishing) knowledge transfer between senior and younger anglers.
Recreational fishing has capacity to improve our physical wellbeing. A Spanish study of recreational fishing revealed that ‘each hour of fishing per month was associated with one-unit higher seafood consumption’. With the increasing focus on the role Omega-3 plays in heart health and mood disorders, increased seafood intake may influence physical and psychological health more directly than previously thought.
A Turkish study into the motivating factors for anglers to participate in recreational fishing revealed that communing with nature and a desire to ‘get away from demand’ were principal personal drivers.
As a novice fisherman myself thanks to a teenage son- the therapeutic benefits of simply being outdoors on a dock with a buddy and a blue coastline for minimal cost is now priceless for my own mental wellbeing, especially when I return from working in rural or remote environments.
Content warning– suicide is mentioned within this article.
Fishing and men’s mental health study
UK researchers have published findings in the Journal of Epidemiologia of their study which aimed to, ‘examine the relationship between recreational angling and mental health and well-being in a sample of UK adult male anglers.’
A cross-sectional study design was used with 1752 male participants completing an online survey.
Angler study participants
The demographic breakdown of the 1752 anglers included in this study were-
- White ethnicity (99.1%)
- 62.9% were married, 17.7% co-habiting, 11.9% single, 5.5% divorced.
- 16% reported a disability.
- 50.6% were employed, 29.3% were retired, 10.7% self-employed, 2.9% unemployed.
The self-reported mental health histories of these anglers were-
- Depression: 23.2%
- Anxiety disorder: 16.1%
- Bipolar disorder: 0.9%
- Schizophrenia: 0.4%
- Other psychiatric disorders: 3.3%
- Suicidal thoughts: 30.3%, suicide attempts: 6.8%, self-harm: 9.8%.
The angling activity of these men were-
- Once or twice per week (37.9%)
- Once per fortnight (25.6%)
- Normal length of an angling session: 85.7% said five hours or more.
Angler study results
Results showed a small number of interesting findings. For example, regression analysis revealed that mental wellbeing was higher and that depressive and anxiety symptoms were lower; the more frequently the men went fishing.
Those who went fishing more regularly, reported an almost 17% less chance of having been diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia, suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
A statistically significant finding showed that ‘depressive symptoms were higher the longer the normal length of an angling session was.’
Angler study conclusion
Among other findings, this study concluded by noting that ‘taking part in angling more regularly also resulted in higher mental well-being and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to taking part less regularly.’
The researchers theorised that the time spent outdoors in ‘blue spaces’ were therapeutic to the anglers. Research examining the positive effect blue spaces have on wellbeing note that exposure to waterways and coastlines lower psychological stress. The causal reason for this remains unclear.
Further research into how mental health is improved by fishing was encouraged by these researchers in order for improved understanding on how fishing specifically influences better reported mental health in men.
Expert Opinion: Russell Conchie, Lead Facilitator, The Fly Program
As a men’s mental health charity, The Fly Program uses fly fishing and being active in the outdoors as avenues for helping men strengthen and improve their mental well-being and mental fitness. The process of fishing, especially fly fishing, requires being present in the current moment, which often naturally creates a reprieve from the influences of the day-to-day challenges being faced.
Taking participants into the outdoor spaces of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains, The Fly Program often witness first-hand the benefits and changes fishing, being in the outdoors, social interaction and conversations it creates, has on improving participants mental health and mental well-being.
While the principle of fishing is to try catch fish, for many it is not the number of fish caught, but more about the simple interaction with nature, their surroundings, things like viewing the mountain range surrounding the river, spotting a platypus, seeing deer crossing the river, or a wombat on the trail, combined with spending time standing shoulder to shoulder fishing with others, which gives them the greatest joy and helps reset the senses.
Over the years I have been fishing the two consistent elements of being outside on, or next to, the water fishing I have noticed are that not only does this simple activity help improve people’s mental health, but it also allows people across all generations to create new friendships and bonds.
