Saltwater Fishing Spells Big Money in Florida

Written by Snook Foundation | 23 March 2008

AMERICA'S ANGLERS ARE IN MANY WAYS the nation's most powerful force for the environment. The nation's nearly 40 million anglers invest hundreds of millions of dollars every year in fisheries conservation and management, substantially more than any other group.

Nationally, through licensing and taxes, anglers directly invest $1.2 billion* every year to preserve, protect and enhance not just their sport but also the environment that makes such sportfishing possible. Across much of the country, angler dollars are the primary source for improving fish habitat, public access and environmental education. Sportfishing, and the powerful economic effects it creates, would not be possible without fish. Those same fish would not exist without suitable habitat, which makes clean and healthy rivers, lakes and coastal waters essential to the bottom line.

There is, to be sure, a moral imperative to fostering environmental stewardship. But thanks to the massive economic activity of America's anglers, there are dollars and cents reason too: good habitat is good business, and this is nowhere more true that in Florida, the world's #1 fishing destination.

Ripple Effect

ED HOPKINS IS A BUILDING CONTRACTOR. While his skill is building homes, his passion is fishing. On most weekend mornings, he tows his boat 50 miles to his favorite fishing spot. On the way, he stops to buy gas for his truck, pick up sandwiches and soft drinks for lunch on the water and stock up on some fishing supplies. That means a trip to his local tackle retailer where he'll purchase a couple of new lures and a spool of fishing line. Although Ed certainly isn't thinking of this, his expenditures are rippling out through the local economy, much like the spreading ripples of a stone tossed in a lake.

Ed's day on the water helps support salaries and wages in his local community. While individual expenditures may seem insignificant, when multiplied by nearly 40 million anglers nationwide over the course of a year, the economic effect is enormous.

If enough money is spent-as in the case of sportfishing-businesses benefiting from the rippling cycle will add employees whose wages and salaries, when spent, will support still more jobs. Taxes will be generated, too. Economic multipliers, while subtle, can be immensely powerful. That's why and how the 2006 spending numbers of America's nearly 40 million anglers had an overall economic impact of $125 billion and supported over one million jobs nationwide.

These aren't just jobs as fishing guides or sporting-goods clerks, but include telephone linemen to truck drivers whose wages are supported in part by the dollars spent on fishing. The remarkably simple activity of Ed's weekend fishing trip truly is an economic driving force in this nation's economy.

These recently released numbers from American Sportsfishing Association and Southwick & Associates's, indicate that the combined value of saltwater fishing trips in Florida equal an enormous economic force. Informed anglers working together can shape a better future for Florida. A sane approach to stewardship starts with you. No matter what your profession, you have influence within your sphere as an angler to make a positive difference. Keep informed and Keep participating.

*The direct investment cited comes from fishing license sales which are a primary funding source for most state fish and wildlife agencies. In 2006, license sales came in at approximately $600 million. Special federal excise taxes and import duties on fishing gear, pleasure boats and boat fuel added up to another $600 million in 2006, under the long-running Sport Fish Restoration Act. That money is apportioned to the states and is likewise critical in supporting state fisheries programs and access areas for recreational boaters.