Economic, Social, Cultural value of Tidal Recreational Fishing

[searun]

Another interesting study on the economic benefits of tidal recreational fisheries from NOAA. Verifies the same results we see from the Province of BC - Stats BC report on 2016 Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector. Both point to tremendous economic, social and cultural benefits to be derived from tidal water recreational fisheries.
The recreational salmon fisheries contribution to real GDP totalled $389.8 million in 2016. That just beats the combined commercial salmon and aquaculture contribution of $289.7 - combined! IMO, from a social, cultural and economic perspective communities in transition should be looking more closely at how they can work to further engage in the recreational fishery to grow local benefits. Study after study confirms the tremendous potential.

BC enjoys a unique within Canada public fishery, where people can participate in a local fishery to secure their food, and in the process enjoy incredible social and cultural benefits linking them to Salmon. This is a cultural tradition worth protecting for future generations. Can't put $$ on the value and meaning our fishery brings to my life - so thankful for the opportunities we all enjoy.

NOAA Study link:

NOAA Fisheries Study Reveals $10.5 Billion Economic Impact from Marine Recreational Fishing Trips

NOAA Fisheries confirms marine recreational fishing is a far greater economic force in the United States than their previous evaluations had indicated. In their report, 2017 Economic Contribution of M

www.nmma.org

Province - Stats BC link:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/statistics/industry-and-sector-profiles/sector-reports/british_columbias_fisheries_and_aquaculture_sector_2016_edition.pdf

 

[Whole in the Water]

Thanks for posting this - great info.

We need more studies like this in Canada! We need to get the support of chambers of commerce, mayors and councils and business from all over the coast to unite in studies like these to tell the Fed. & Prov. govt's that they need to support the small/local coastal communities that depend on the public fishery for their livelihood and even survival.

Yes to conservation first, yes to legal FN treaty rights. However, we cannot allow the continued political mismanagement of the public fishery while constantly ignoring the abundant science and economics which supports a well planned public fishery which brings in the greatest economic benefit of all the various fishing sectors. The DFO and their political masters cater to a few user groups and ENGO's at the expense of driving the public fishery out of existence just as they have done on the east coast. We cannot let this happen!!!.

Time for all the public fishery groups like SFI-BC, Public Fishery Alliance, SVIAC, BCWF, West Coast Guides Assoc. PSF, BCFDF, etc... to get over all their petty differences and work together to publish studies like these, communicate them to the public and media, make it an election issue and put continuous pressure on the Fed. and Prov. govt's to start realistically and practically supporting the public fishery before it is too late!

The time is now!

 

[searun]

Roger that, couldn't agree more. We need a rising vocal voice from concerned citizens and businesses that rely upon the recreational fishery for their social, cultural and business incomes. Currently this government is bargaining away our access. As ordinary Canadians we have rights of access to harvest sea food for our food security which is set out in common law rights under the Magna Carta. Everyone lights their hair on fire over a few dumped sockeye, but sleeps at the switch as this government fetters away our access to the fishery.