Article by Larry Jock
NMFS Announces 2014 Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey
NOAA and the saltwater angling community need timely economic data to help evaluate the economic importance of the recreational fishing industry and the economic impacts of fishing regulations and changes in the ecosystem caused by natural or manmade events. Starting May 15th, NOAA will begin conducting a periodic survey of saltwater anglers across the nation designed to estimate the amount of money spent by anglers on saltwater fishing trips and fishing-related equipment.
The information gathered in the survey will provide a better understanding of the economic impacts generated from saltwater recreational fishing across the U.S. and contribute to more informed decisions on recreational fishing issues. The National Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey is updated every 3 to 5 years. The last survey found that anglers spent over $23 billion on saltwater fishing trips and equipment. These expenditures contributed over $56 billion to the U.S. economy in 2011.
In May 2014, NOAA will begin part one and randomly survey anglers in coastal states with saltwater fishing licenses. The anglers will be sent a survey in the mail that asks questions about their expenditures on durable goods used for saltwater fishing (such as fishing rods, boats, and vehicles) for the previous 2 months. In 2016, NOAA will conduct the second part of the survey focusing on trip-related expenditures.
The expenditure survey will also include a targeted survey of approximately 3,000 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling permit holders. The purpose is to collect expenditure data on a unique group of avid anglers that are typically under-represented in national surveys. The 2011 survey found HMS anglers living from Maine to North Carolina spent $217 million on saltwater fishing trips and equipment which contributed $358 million to the U.S. economy.