This was brought to my attention by Roland and was origanily posted By Patmygreen

Good Info; Economics of Commercial versus Recreational Fishing

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http://myfwc.com/planning/ECONOMICS...NDWLDLF2005.pdf
This is from the FWC whom I think is considered impartial. Please incorporate this information in your letters to whom it may concern.
ECONOMICS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RECREATION
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
ESTIMATES FOR 2005
Category Economic Impact Jobs
Hunting $783,378,920 7,338
Freshwater Fishing $2,118,002,070 19,519
Saltwater Fishing $5,818,894,107 59,418
Wildlife Viewing $1,919,762,397 19,361
TOTAL
$10,640,037,494 105,636 jobs
Additionally, commercial fishing and the boating industry contributed the following economic impacts to Florida’s economy.

Category Economic Impact Jobs
Commercial Fishing $562 Million 9,787
Seafood Processing Industry $614 Million 3,108 jobs


Contact:
David Harding, Ph.D.
Economist
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
2574 Seagate Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32399 – 1600
Telephone: 850 – 488 - 6661
E-mail: David.Harding@MyFWC.com
Economics of Fish and Wildlife 2005
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Strong evidence.

Very strong indeed!

marcus since you have SO MUCH time on your hands, try to contact and see if we can get 2006 or 2007 data. Or anyone else :)


BTW thanks Roland PMG

marcus since you have SO MUCH time on your hands, try to contact and see if we can get 2006 or 2007 data. Or anyone else :)


BTW thanks Roland PMG


Will do.

Done. I'm also developing a rapport with him for facilitating further requests in the future.




Mark,

I am waiting for the most recent data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service so I can develop the estimates for 2006 and 2007. Please check back in about one month (end of February) and I should have an update. Thank you for your interest.

David Harding
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission



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From: Marcus [mailto:maaaarcus@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 11:53 AM
To: Harding, David
Subject: Economics of Fish and Wildlife


Dr. Harding,

I recently acquired a copy of your excellent "Economics of Fish and Wildlife 2005" paper. I was wondering if you might have an updated version of this paper? I realize that the economics probably haven't changed much but a more recent paper might help in our fight to keep the fisheries fair regarding the TAC (Total Allowable Catch) of the commercial sector vs. the recreational based on economic impact. Any more info you might have on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Mark Franey
Native of Manatee County, FL

Here's a link to an article from the Snook Foundation that claims that in 2006 U.S. recreational fishermen invested 1.2 billion in conservation and had an economic impact of $125 billion. In the side bar, it also has a bunch of 2006 economic stats for Florida alone:

"SportsFishing is Florida's #1 product. 2,202,000 Saltwater Anglers took a total of 23,077,000 fishing trips in 2006. Florida's Salt Water Fishing generated:

* Retail sales -- $2,997,500,518
* Ripple effect -- $5,123,992,575
* Salaries wages and business earnings -- $1,568,389,759
* Federal Tax Revenue -- $378,902,841
* State and Local Tax Revenue -- $311,265,319
* Jobs -- 51,588"

http://www.snookfoundation.org/index.php?cid=979214&src=news&refno=175&category=Latest

Those are some good numbers to study and learn from. However, be careful of their limitations before throwing them out. I note that non-consumptive use looks to be about one third of the saltwater fishing totals. Some groups like to seize on this type of data.

Further inquiry should also check on whether the market value of the commercial harvest is included in those numbers.

Always know what you are asserting before you put it out for consideration.
One last item, does the FWC have any specific data for spearfishing and its value? After all, isnt that what this is all about? Its a point that has gained a lot of traction on the West Coast, with spearfishing receiving differential treatment when warranted. The selectivity of the gear and insignificant bycatch make it very appealing.

Thanks again for that data. It will surely be useful!