Effects of Fishing on the Economy
Report Points Out the Economic and Conservation Impacts of Angling
Millions of Americans enjoy getting out and fishing every year. Recreational fishing is seldom thought of as a major industry, but it does account for many good paying jobs and contributes millions to the United States' economy. Forty million anglers buying fishing gear, gasoline, licenses, hotel rooms and boat equipment have a significant impact on the nation. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has released a report titled Sportfishing in America: An Economic Engine and Conservation Powerhouse (PDF) that better quantifies the economic and conservation benefits supported by recreational fishing.
Comments from the ASA President - American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman comments on the report in a press release saying, "As an industry, we are keenly aware of the impact that sportfishing has on this nation's economy. Just by enjoying a day on the water, men, women and children across the United States pump billions of dollars into this country's economy. And it's not just the economy; America's anglers are in many ways the nation's most powerful force for the environment investing hundreds of millions of dollars each year in fisheries management and conservation through taxes on fishing equipment and license sales."
A Breakdown of National Spending - ASA estimates some forty million fishermen spend over $45 billion on fishing related expenses each year. Using known multiplier effects, this translates into a $125 billion overall impact for the United States economy. A breakdown of these purchases includes support for a million jobs, $45 billion paid in wages, and $16 paid in tax revenues a year.
Contributions to Conservation Efforts - The federal and many state governments have special taxes that apply to the purchase of fishing tackle and powerboat fuel. The federal government channels millions of these funds into state recreational, fish and wildlife conservation projects every year. Anglers pay more than any other group to support conservation projects through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and many communities have benefited from fishing based taxes to fund boat launch ramps and mooring facilities for transient fishing vessels.
Interesting Numbers - The report presents some interesting ways to look at the economic numbers:
- Fishing is more popular than golf and tennis combined in the United States
- If the fishing industry was a national corporation, it would rank number 47 on the Fortune 500 list of companies
- Sportfishing supports more than a million jobs, three times the number of employees hired by United Parcel Service
- Research by the National Sporting Goods Association ranks fishing sixth out of 42 recreational activities surveyed
Information provided in the ASA report is derived by their consultant Southwick Associates from the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation sponsored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Census Bureau. A review of the report offers many interesting insights of the recreational fishing industry in the United States. Next time you talk to your legislators about funding fishing and boating related projects, point them towards this study that clearly spells out the benefits of the industry.
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