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Fishbrain and MissionFISH Team Up for Study on the Effects of Recreational Fishing on Veterans
Photos provided by Mission Fish
FISHBRAIN AND MISSION FISH TEAM UP FOR STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL FISHING ON VETERANS
The study was done to reflect the impact of recreational fishing on veterans suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
BY JORDAN B. DARLING
VENTURA— A CRISP ocean breeze tugs at your outer layers, the sun reflects off the brilliant blue of the choppy waters bringing in just enough warmth to cut through the chill; the sound of water slaps the bottom of the boat, lulling you into a sense of peace.
The boat’s deck is full of anglers tossing comments back and forth, quick quips between new friends, and old stories told to a new audience.
The excitement as a fish tugs the fishing line in front of you; the teamwork of pulling the damn thing up on the deck followed by crows of accomplishment as it takes at least two of you to hold up the prize for the waiting camera.
A day out on the water with no cell service and the company of newfound friends can change your perspective or at least allow you peace of mind often out of reach ashore. Mission FISH, based in Ventura County, centers their mission on fishing, interacting, sharing, and healing. A mission founder Brian Barber holds near and dear.
Barber, a United States Marine, founded
Mission FISH in 2015 after a fishing trip with a buddy inspired him to find a way to help his fellow veterans.
“Mission Fish is a non-profit I started in 2015 as a way of me dealing with my PTSD, depression, and anxiety,” said Barber. “I went fishing one day and thought it was an amazing day on the water…And I thought, how could I do something like this for other veteran brothers and sisters going through a similar mindset as me, and that is when the idea of a non-profit started.”
Barber, along with 12 other people dedicated to the cause, work together to host fishing trips for veterans, first responders, and gold star families; to date, Mission FISH has taken close to 2,000 veterans, active duty, first responders, and Gold-star family members fishing at no cost to them.
Barber holds several events throughout the year, taking between 25 to 50 veterans out on the water for a day of fishing, interacting, sharing, and healing.
Barber’s mission is to create a sense of comradery that so many find during their military service, out on the water with other veterans.
“When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was lost,” said Barber. “The comradery that builds when you are inside the military, the comradery that you get is unlike any other,” said Barber. “I wanted to create that interaction amongst active duty, veterans, first responders, and gold star families, and let them know that even though your brother you were with is in New York or whatever in a different state or a different country, you can create that relationship now through fishing.”
Many veterans will return to their home state after leaving the military. The separation can strain your relationships, and for many, there is a lack of support or understanding, and when suffering from PTSD, anxiety, or depression brought on by service, the connection to support network that has lived through the same experience or just having an activity can amazing things for the healing process.
Mission FISH paired with Fishbrain, a popular mobile app for anglers, to study recreational fishing effects on veterans suffering from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. “The issue of PTSD amongst the veteran community is extensive,” said Lisa Kennelly, chief marketing officer at Fishbrain. “Between 11 - 20 percent of military personnel who served in Iraq suffer from PTSD, while it is estimated that 30 percent of veterans of the Vietnam War will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lifetime, too. There are numerous studies proving the meditative benefits of fishing, which is something we’ve heard from our users as well. With this in mind, we wanted to undertake a study to definitively ascertain which aspects of fishing prove beneficial to the veteran community and how we as a platform can help.” The study, launched on Nov. 11 to coincide with Veteran’s Day, received over 1,000 responses from veterans who have interacted with Mission FISH.
Veterans received a survey asking them questions about their feelings on fishing and if they have felt a positive impact from the activity.
KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
84% of respondents said their important relationships were better after a day of fishing 66% of respondents go into a day of fishing for therapeutic reasons 94% of respondents found that sharing their experience with others improved their fishing experience 53% of respondents find the experience therapeutic
EXTENDED FINDINGS:
On what best describes why they originally decided to take up fishing:
I was introduced by a friend or family member: 67% I wanted to try a new hobby: 9% I had been advised to for health reasons: 3%
On what typically describes their general emotional state while fishing:
Relaxed: 88% Happy: 84% Focused: 50% Content: 44% Frustrated: 3% Anxious: 3%
On whether their emotional state changes if they do or don’t catch any fish:
My mood is not impacted by my fishing behavior: 56% My mood is better: 38% My mood is worse: 6%
On whether they typically detect a change in their important relationships after fishing:
My relationships are better: 84% My relationships are not impacted by my fishing behavior: 15% My relationships are worse: None
On whether sharing their catches/experiences of fishing with others increases their enjoyment of fishing:
On whether connecting through online channels and social media is an effective way of sharing about your fishing experiences:
On what they most like to share about their fishing experiences when connecting through online channels:
Yes: 94% No: 6%
Yes: 81% No: 19%
Catches: 66% Scenic views: 50% Comment on others photos: 31% Fishing locations: 22% Bait/equipment: 22% All the above: 34%
On how sharing experiences with online groups compare with sharing those experiences in person:
Sharing with online groups is good, but not better: 53% Sharing with online groups is better: 16% Sharing with online groups is worse: 16% I’m not sure: 16%
On whether the frequency of their fishing behavior changed since the start of the pandemic:
It has decreased: 56% It has increased: 34% It has not changed: 9%
On how sharing in online communities about their fishing experiences allows them to connect with people who they may not connect with otherwise:
Yes: 81% No: 19%
Yes: 53% No: 47%
It increases how often I go fishing: 59% It causes me to more frequently go fishing with other people, rather than alone: 53% It influences where I choose to go fishing: 53% It influences what gear I choose to use while fishing: 29%
On what they expect to get out of a day of fishing:
Rest and Relaxation: 84% Therapy: 66% Fishing Knowledge: 50% Nothing: 3%
On how they would you rate the overall experience of a day’s fishing:
Fun Theraputic
16%
31% 53%
Relaxing
Fishbrain used the collected data from over 1,000 Mission FISH members to create a comprehensive overview of how fi shing helps to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD in the veteran community.
The study's key fi ndings show 84 percent of the veterans who responded found their important relationships in better standing after a day of fi shing; 66 percent said they go fi shing for therapeutic reasons; 94 percent found sharing their experiences with others improved their fi shing experience, and 53 percent found the experience therapeutic. “We learned the importance of fi shing for those struggling with mental health problems, and the myriad of benefi ts that even a few hours of fi shing can bring to those who participate,” said Kennelly. “The results prove that fi shing relaxes and benefi cially alters the mood of those who do it, whether or not any fi sh are actually caught. It is, essentially, a highly therapeutic activity which can be benefi cial for all sorts of mental and physical rehabilitation.” To keep up with Mission FISH, visit their website at https://www. missionfi shusa.org/, or follow them on social media @missionfi shusa on Facebook and Instagram.
