For more information on this topic, please contact Sabrina Lovell.
Why We Conduct the Survey
Timely economic data, important to both NOAA Fisheries and the saltwater angling community, is needed to:
- Evaluate the economic importance of the recreational fishing industry.
- Evaluate the economic effects of fishing regulations, as well as changes in the ecosystem caused by natural or man-made events.
The survey is designed to estimate the amount of money spent by anglers on saltwater fishing trips and fishing-related equipment. Information collected 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.
Survey Logistics
The survey is updated every 3 to 5 years. Surveys were conducted in 2006, 2011, 2014, 2016/2017, and 2019. Surveys are conducted in person at fishing intercept sites, by mail, or online or a combination of these methods. The survey is conducted in two parts, focusing either on trip expenditures or durable goods expenditures.
Part 1: Trip Expenditures, 2022
In 2022, the survey will focus on trip-related expenditures. Anglers will be asked about their expenses on their most recent fishing trip, such as gas, boat fuel, bait, ice, charter fees, food and lodging. The survey will be conducted in person at fishing sites along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from Maine to Alabama. The survey will be conducted using a combination of web-based and mail based questionnaires in all other coastal states.
Lovell, Sabrina, James Hilger, Emily Rollins, Noelle A. Olsen, and Scott Steinback. 2020. The Economic Contribution of Marine Angler Expenditures on Fishing Trips in the United States, 2017. U.S. Dep. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-201, 80 p.
Part 2: Durable Goods Expenditures, 2019-2020
In 2019 and 2020, we conducted a survey of saltwater anglers across the nation. We randomly selected anglers in coastal states with saltwater fishing licenses. Selected anglers were invited to participate by an email or mail invitation to an online survey with questions about their expenditures on durable goods used for saltwater fishing (such as fishing rods, boats, and vehicles) for the previous 12 months.
