Allocate fisheries resources more equitably to recreational anglers Improve allocation of fish stocks so that the economic impact of all sectors — including commercial, recreational, and charter fishing — and not just the historical catch is considered in determining harvests limits for each fishery. Also, our leaders must ensure science-based rebuilding of stocks that have been commercially over-fished. Reduce commercial fleets in overcapitalized fisheries through buy-out programs that have the dedicated funding sources to make them successful and fair to fishermen remaining in the industry, as well as allowing for continuation of recreational fisheries. Factsheet: The Relative Economic Contributions of U.S. Recreational and Commercial Fisheries [PDF]

Background

Recreational saltwater fishing has a tremendous impact on the economy — much of which is felt directly by the local communities where the fishing occurs. As coastal populations increase, so will the number of marine recreational anglers, creating an even greater boon to coastal economies.

Adequate fisheries resources must be available for recreational fishing and the current method for allocating harvest share relies on historical catch records that often under- represent sport anglers. Both commercial and recreational fishing interests deserve an equitable harvest allocation, so a new approach is necessary.

Any new marine policy should establish an allocation formula that considers the economic impact of all sectors as well as catch records and other factors.

Balancing the Scales

For many species with fisheries management plans, commercial anglers receive a far greater allocation than recreational anglers. Take the case of Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico — 83 percent of the annual harvest of this popular sport fish is allocated to commercial fishermen. In Florida alone, commercial fishing has harvested an average of 3.5 million pounds more red grouper than recreational fishing annually. Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Weighing the Benefits

While commercial fishing may appear to have the most immediate influence on coastal economies, recreational fishing's impact is three-and-a-half times greater. When you weigh the benefits, the scales tip to sport fishing every time.

Total Impact in Comparison [Larger Version]

Saltwater fishing is big business — and coastal communities across the nation have benefited from servicing recreational anglers for years. From the bait shop where they purchase tackle to the marina where they launch their boat to the restaurant where they swap stories about the one that got away, recreational anglers support 360,000 full and part-time jobs. Making sure that sport anglers aren't the ones that get away is essential to protecting a booming business.

Buying In to Sustainable Harvests

As marine fisheries decline, commercial anglers begin to experience a downward spiral. While trying to maintain profitability in a fishery that is overcapitalized, they find few options that will allow them to reduce their harvest. In order to reduce the fleets without excess harm to the fishing-dependent economies, a number of programs have been implemented to "buy out" excess capacity in commercial vessels. Like conservation easements or conservation incentive programs that have been successful in agriculture, well-designed, permanent fleet buy out programs can have a positive impact for both resource sustainability and the commercial fishing businesses. Funding buy out programs for this overcapacity, if done fairly and effectively, would leave a healthy and viable commercial fleet, reduce bycatch and habitat destruction, and support the recovery of most coastal fish stocks.

The impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were devastating to the fishing industry along the Gulf Coast. But the damage presents an opportunity to test the effectiveness of permanent fleet buy outs to reduce the pressure on overcapitalized fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. It is estimated that as many as 90 percent of commercial fishing boats in Louisiana and Mississippi were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and onshore processors and marinas also received tremendous damage. Funding for permanent fleet buyouts should be included in hurricane assistance, along with funds for rebuilding infrastructure.

Farming for Alternatives

With the U.S. consumption of seafood increasing to 16.6 pounds per person per year and the sustainability of wild fisheries in question, a new alternative for seafood production is gaining attraction — aquaculture. Aquaculture in the U.S. has increased by 300 percent in the last 20 years, but it still only amounts to 10 percent of domestically caught and consumed wild stocks.

Efforts to encourage the increased development of offshore aquaculture and to establish federal authority over permitting present many issues for recreational anglers. Environmental concerns such as water pollution, the potential for weakening the gene pool or introducing disease into wild stocks of fish, and the inadvertent introduction of undesired non-native species into natural environments are just some of the possible side effects of aquaculture. In addition, states that do not currently allow aquaculture due to concerns about wild stocks may find themselves with facilities off their shorelines. While aquaculture can play an important role in meeting future protein demands of society, it must be conducted in ways that do not actually harm the environment or wild stocks of fish that support recreational and commercial fisheries.