“This technological creep has been well documented in commercial fisheries, and it’s occurring in recreational fisheries as well,” said fisheries biologist Chelsey Nieman, who was a postdoctoral researcher at Cary Institute when the research was conducted.

Nieman and co-author Chris Solomon, an ecologist at Cary Institute, believe that further research into the impact of advancing technology and other gradual social changes could provide critical guidance to guide management actions needed to protect fisheries and fish populations.