Recreational Anglers’ Specialization and Perception of Management Measures in Yucatan, Mexico

Understanding anglers’ diversity can help to improve the effectiveness of governing recreational fisheries. Online and <i>in situ</i> surveys were applied to evaluate perceptions and preferences among anglers’ fishing frequency (occasional, regular, and frequent) as an indicator of their specialization in Yucatan, Mexico. Occasional anglers’ most reported fish species are associated with bottom fishing (non-selective), while regular and frequent with trolling and casting (selective). The primary fate of the catches was to preserve the sizes they considered large enough and release the small ones. Unlike occasional, the frequent does not consider overexploited species to be affected by this fishery. The fish size regulation was chosen as the most effective management measure among anglers of all specialization levels. The social and ecological context of the Yucatecan coast must be considered before introducing management measures, and resource managers must establish collaboration strategies with the most specialized anglers to promote best fishing practices.