For the sustainable use of fishery resources as common resources and the mitigation of conflicts with commercial fishermen, it is essential to understand recreational anglers’ participation process of environmentally responsible behaviors (ERB). This study intends to show that the effects of recreation specialization on environmentally responsible behaviors can be weakened due to the characteristics of anglers, who prefer to possess caught fish. Two different research models were tested with two data sets independently collected. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. The results show that consumptive orientation, which measures a degree of catching and owning fish, and fishing-specific ERBs negatively affect the relationships between recreation specialization and general ERBs as mediation variables. Implications are further discussed that regulation policies and education programs are needed to change anglers’ consumptive orientation and catch-related fishing behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative study between Korea and the United States to examine anglers’ motivations, consumptive orientation, and the relationship between these two concepts. The following two research questions were explored: (1) whether there are significant differences in anglers’ motivations and consumptive orientation between Korea and the United States; and (2) what differences exist in the effects of anglers’ motivations on consumptive orientation between these two countries. The main research results are as follows. First, Korean anglers showed a higher level of consumptive orientation than American anglers. Second, a positive relationship between activity-general motivation and consumptive orientation was reported for Korean anglers while the relationship was opposite for American anglers. Study results imply that national angler surveys as well as public education and outreach programs are necessary to help anglers engage in sustainable fishing behaviors for effective fishery resources management.

Recreation specialization and consumptive orientation are two important constructs to understand anglers’ attitudes and behaviors. Although theoretical explanations and previous studies in different countries addressed the relationships between the two constructs, limited support has been provided in a context of anglers in Korea. This study developed a conceptual model explaining the causal relationships between recreation specialization, anglers’ preferences (activity-specific and activity-general) and consumptive orientation. An on-site survey was conducted to anglers in the city of Busan and Gyeongnam province in 2018. A total of 614 data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling The study results showed that recreation specialization positively and indirectly influenced consumptive orientation via anglers’ activity-specific and activity-general preferences. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.