According to MEPs, recreational fishing means "non-commercial fishing activities (...) for recreation or sport and including, for instance, recreational angling, sports fishing, sports tournaments and other forms".
EP Zivsaimniecības komiteja galveno uzmanību pievērsa amatierzvejai — nekomerciālai zvejai, kur zivju resursus izmanto atpūtai vai sportam, tostarp amatiermakšķerēšanai un zvejas sacensībām.