SUMMARY REPORT OF METHODS AND
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS FOR THE 1994
NORTHEAST REGION MARINE RECREATIONAL ECONOMICS SURVEY
CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSIONS
6.1 Summary of Major Findings
6.1.1 Sportfishing by Subregion
The demographic and socio-economic characteristics of anglers were similar across New England and the Mid-Atlantic. The resulting distributions of age, education, ethnicity, household income, trip length, and boat ownership showed only marginal variability across subregions. The largest share of anglers in both subregions were 36 to 45 years old, obtained at least a high school degree, were predominantly white, indicated annual household incomes of $30,001 to $45,000, were on one-day fishing trips, and owned at least one boat used for saltwater sportfishing. Nevertheless, survey results did reveal that anglers in New England had relatively less saltwater fishing experience than their counterparts in the Mid-Atlantic, and that fishing trip expenditures were higher in New England.
In comparison to the general population, the resulting anglers distributions were quite different. Findings of the survey revealed participation in marine recreational fishing peaked between the ages of 36 to 45; the largest share of the general population was estimated to be between the ages of 25 to 34. Additionally, the survey revealed anglers were generally more educated than the population as a whole, had higher annual household incomes, and in the Mid-Atlantic, the percentage of white anglers was considerably higher than general population estimates.
Anglers in New England and the Mid-Atlantic also indicated similar preferences for marine recreational fishing and for fishing regulation methods. Respondents in both subregions indicated “convenience” and “better catch rates” were the main reasons why fishing sites were chosen. Furthermore, over 60 percent of the anglers in both subregions rated marine recreational fishing as their most important outdoor activity during the past two months and over 66 percent indicated strong support for all of the illustrated regulation methods. Lastly, the majority of anglers in both subregions rated to experience the excitement or challenge of sportfishing and non-catch related reasons for marine fishing highly while catching fish to eat was rated as being of some importance to Mid-Atlantic anglers.
6.1.2 Sportfishing by Mode
In general, angler demographics, socio-economic characteristics, and preferences for marine recreational fishing and fishing regulation methods were relatively consistent across modes. Nevertheless, several noteworthy differences in age, household income, years of experience, expenditures, trip length, and preferences for marine recreational fishing occurred between the modes.
Party/charter fishermen comprised the largest share of respondents under the age of 25 (25%); college and post graduates (27%); inexperienced anglers (0-5 years - 25%); on overnight trips (25%); and indicated fishing to be only one of many outdoor activities during the past two months (33%). Additionally, party/charter anglers incurred the highest lodging and one-way travel expenditures ($60.00 and $14.00, respectively).
Private/rental boat fishermen constituted the largest percentage of anglers that were 36 to 45 years old (27%); on one-day fishing trips (87%); indicated more than 30 years of saltwater fishing experience (27%); and rated marine recreational fishing as their most important outdoor activity during the past two months (70%). These anglers incurred the smallest lodging and one-way travel expenses ($41.00 and $8.00, respectively) and represented the smallest share of respondents with annual household incomes under $30,000 (21%).
Shore anglers comprised the largest share of respondents over the age of 66 (13%) and the largest share of household incomes under $30,000 (35%). Furthermore, shore anglers incurred the highest personal lodging expenses ($60.00) and represented the only ‘group’ of anglers to rate “to catch fish to eat” as being ‘not important’ by the largest share of respondents (39%).
6.1.3 Sportfishing by State
Although the demographic, socio-economic, and preference data by state displayed the same general patterns illustrated in the subregion and mode chapters, often the size of the distributions varied considerably across states. Moreover, the resulting differences were generally larger the further the distance between the states.
Anglers in Maine constituted the largest portion of respondents with high school diplomas (93%) and household incomes below $30,000 (33%). Furthermore, anglers in Maine represented the smallest share of black fishermen (0.2%), incurred the highest one-way travel expenditures ($19.00), and placed the least importance on recreational fishing compared to other outdoor activities.
In New Hampshire, anglers indicated the least saltwater fishing experience (28% indicated fewer than 5 years of experience) and incurred the lowest overall trip expenditures across states. Additionally, New Hampshire anglers owned the smallest proportion of boats (46%) and represented the smallest share of anglers over the age of 66 (5%).
Anglers in Massachusetts comprised the highest proportion of college and post graduates (33%), represented the largest share of respondents with household incomes above $60,000 annually (33%), and incurred the highest per night lodging costs across all overnight anglers ($32.00).
Marine recreational fishermen in Rhode Island were the most experienced anglers in New England (26% indicated more than 30 years of experience), incurred the highest overall trip expenditures, and comprised the only state in which the largest share of anglers indicated “better catch rates” as their first stated preference for fishing site characteristics (23.7%). Furthermore, Rhode Island was the only state in New England where the largest percentage of anglers felt catching fish to eat was somewhat important (38.7%).
Anglers fishing in Connecticut incurred the lowest personal lodging expenses ($22.00), represented the largest majority of anglers taking one-day fishing trips (97%), and indicated the most importance for recreational fishing compared to their other outdoor activities (70%).
Marine recreational fishermen in New Jersey incurred the largest per night personal lodging expense ($77.00) and owned the fewest proportion of boats in the Mid-Atlantic (49%).
New York anglers comprised the largest share of respondents over the age of 66 (14%), the second largest percentage of respondents with annual household incomes over $60,000 (32%), and indicated the most saltwater fishing experience (34% indicated over 30 years of experience). Additionally, anglers in New York spent the least amount on one-way travel expenses ($4.00).
Anglers fishing in Delaware indicated the smallest per night lodging expense across all overnight anglers ($12.00), represented the largest percentage of respondents that indicated the day of fishing was part of an overnight trip (31%), and declared “to catch fish to eat”as being ‘somewhat important’ or ‘very important’ by the highest percentage of anglers (72.1%).
Maryland anglers were among the youngest in the Mid-Atlantic, with only 23% indicating they were over the age of 56. Additionally, Maryland had the lowest proportion of college and post graduates in the Northeast (16%).
In Virginia, anglers represented the largest proportion of black fishermen (11%), incurred the highest one-way travel expenses in the Mid-Atlantic ($12.00), and owned the greatest proportion of boats (57% indicated boat ownership).
6.2 Future Research
The demographic and economic information contained within this report forms the basis for a more comprehensive economic study yet to come. While the first phase of the research provides a broad-brushed picture of marine recreational anglers in the Northeast Region, the second phase of the research will provide information on the economic value anglers obtain from marine recreational fishing. Statistical models of the demand for marine recreational fishing will be estimated for eight regionally selected species that are either currently managed or that are expected to be managed in the near future.[42] Species-specific demand models (travel cost models and random utility models) will be specified to begin to answer questions about the economic value of or costs of two common forms of regulations imposed on anglers: (1) participation and access and (2) changes in catch (e.g., creel limits, catch and release, minimum size). In keeping with the state of the art in recreational demand modeling, the demand models will be estimated as being contingent on the choice to go marine recreational fishing and the choice of target species.
This phase of the research will not estimate economic impact statistics, including multiplier effects for regional income or employment. Although, some of the data we collected could be used by others for this purpose (particularly data on anglers' expenditures), credible regional economic impact analysis requires an entirely different survey methodology. The focus of this research project will be on the economic valuation of marine recreational fishing and catches by anglers.
Additional research is currently being conducted at the University of Rhode Island. A graduate student in the Department of Marine Affairs is using the survey data to examine the relationships between economic, behavioral, and attitudinal components of marine recreational fishing within a conceptual framework of recreation specialization. The purpose of the research is to explore the use of fishing frequency, a displayed behavior, to represent varying degrees of recreation specialization. In particular, the establishment of typologies of Massachusetts anglers is being investigated utilizing participation (i.e., fishing frequency) as the core element. Investigations will concentrate on developing an alternative to allocating resources base upon assumed homogeneity within the angling population.
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