Marine Angler Recreational Fishery

During 2011 and early 2012, the GSMFC and NOAA solicited saltwater anglers expenditures on fishing trips throughout the Gulf of Mexico states and Puerto Rico in order to assess the size and economic contribution of the marine recreational fishing industry to the GOM and the United States.

A recreational fishery in the marine environment provides not only relaxation for stakeholders but also economic impact to the surrounding economy. In the GOM, for example, millions of residents participate in marine fisheries recreation, which contributes millions to tens of millions of dollars each year to the economy. A continued understanding of how marine angler expenditures influence local and regional economies in the GOM through sales, income, and employment, provides key economic information, which can be used in fisheries management decisions.

Preparation for the marine angler recreational survey took place throughout 2010. This included finalizing the survey materials and the survey sampling design in association with the NMFS. This also included awarding sub-awards from the GSMFC to the MRFSS Gulf States in order to collect expenditure data from anglers via an intercept survey. A sub-award was also awarded to ICF Macro to conduct mail surveys throughout the region.

Data collection via field samplers began in January 2011 throughout Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. Data collection in Texas, via a mail survey, began in March and April 2011. Extensive outreach efforts were conducted with the initial deployment of the survey. This included the development of a press release, informational flyers, and other supporting materials. A number of regional and national news stories were written concerning the data collection effort. A number of conference calls were also conducted and supporting informational materials were provided to each of the states and the mail survey contractor. The percentage of completed intercept surveys from January through December 2011 throughout the Gulf was 69% (either fully or partially complete). Cumulatively, from early 2011 through early 2012, the percentage of completed mail/web surveys is 29%.

Data collection for the intercept survey has been completed and the follow-up mail survey will conclude in early 2012. Data cleaning and analysis will be conducted throughout 2012, with a final report likely to be published in 2013. This project will contribute to the larger national final report entitled, ?The Economic Contribution of Marine Angler Expenditures in the United States, 2011.?