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 15, 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 was conducted in 2011 and 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.

The upcoming survey will be conducted in two parts.  In May 2014 NOAA will begin part one and survey randomly selected 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 that will focus on trip-related expenditures.  Once the economic data is collected, it will be analyzed and released as a NOAA report.

In addition to collecting expenditure data from general saltwater anglers, the expenditure survey will also include a targeted survey of approximately 3,000 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling permit holders.  The purpose of the targeted survey is to collect expenditure data on a unique group of avid anglers that are typically under-represented in national surveys.

 A survey conducted in 2011 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.

For information on NOAA angler expenditure surveys, visit: https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/economics/fisheries/recreational/angler-expenditures-economic-impacts/index

source: NOAA Fisheries