In December, NOAA Fisheries released the findings of two studies on the expenditures associated with Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) recreational fisheries.
When combined with related findings from other recent assessments, these studies show that HMS recreational fishing contributes an estimated $510 million to the U.S. economy each year.
In 2016, NOAA Fisheries surveyed 1,806 Atlantic HMS Angling permit holders. Surveys were sent in bimonthly waves to gather information on expenditures associated with HMS fishing trips throughout the year.
That same year, we collected survey responses from 73 tournament operators, as well as tournament participants. Operators were asked about the costs and earnings associated with the tournament, while participating teams provided information on their specific expenditures for the tournament.
Tournament trips were estimated to generate $37.5 million before tournament registration fees. Tournament operators were estimated to have brought in approximately $38.4 million in revenue against total costs of $32.4 million plus $2.5 million in charitable donations. Tournament participants also directly contributed an additional $3.9 million in charitable donations.
Non-tournament HMS recreational fishing trips were estimated to generate over $46.7 million in total annual expenditures.
Combined, these expenditures are estimated to have contributed over $232 million in total economic output to the U.S. economy, including $72 million in household income, and supported 1,404 jobs.
Taken together with recent assessments of the HMS for-hire recreational fishing sector and durable goods purchases by HMS recreational anglers for HMS fishing, the total annual economic contribution of HMS recreational fishing to the U.S. economy is estimated to be over $510 million.
source: NOAA Fisheries