As fishermen we are aware that there are many non-angler naysayers out there who believe fishing to be an insignificant pursuit that palls before the greater economic picture in this country. In our heart of hearts we’ve long known the falsity of this uninformed rationale. Now a recent report published by NOAA stands to corroborate what we’ve been purporting all along. The newly released Fisheries Economics of the United States 2011 shows that the combined efforts of the commercial and recreational sectors generated $199 billion in total revenue from saltwater fishing in 2011 alone.
For those wondering why a 2011 report is only now coming to press in 2013, the answer is the assurance of accuracy. A two year lag was strategically implemented to allow for comprehensive data collection, critical analysis, and in depth peer reviews, resulting in ironclad credibility. The assessment of the economic impact of saltwater fishing took into account a few main bullet points which included employment, sales, income, and its contributions to the Gross National Product. While the commercial element of our saltwater fisheries accounted for massive numbers in the aforementioned areas, recreational fishing was no slouch. Recreational fishing alone was responsible for “$70 billion in sales impacts, $20 billion in income impacts, and 455,000 jobs in 2011” according to NOAA. Readers of The Fisherman should be especially interested to know that New Jersey was one of the greatest contributors from the realm of recreational fishing with 1.7 billion in sales and 10,000 jobs to their credit. Additionally, Massachusetts made it into the top 5 states with the most fishing related jobs for 2011.
%pullstart%A two-year lag was strategically implemented to allow for comprehensive data collection, critical analysis, and in-depth peer reviews, resulting in ironclad credibility.%pullend%As a bonus, Fisheries Economics of the United States 2011 reaches beyond the economic contributions of saltwater fishing at face value. It also exists as a window into current and proposed fishery management plans, catch shares, the health of fish stocks and an index of protected marine resources. By having a balanced understanding of fishing at its economic and scientific roots NOAA, and the fishermen they regulate, stand a much better chance of keeping the fishing industry profitable and our fisheries sustainable for generations to come.
If you would like to read Fisheries Economics of the United States 2011, along with the five other editions that preceded it, click on the following link: www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov.
