New Report Available: The Economic Contribution of HMS Angling in New England and Mid-Atlantic

In 2011, as part of the National Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey, the Office of Science and Technology at NOAA Fisheries surveyed recreational anglers about their expenditures associated with fishing for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) from Maine to North Carolina. Atlantic HMS (tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks) draw a dedicated following of specialized marine anglers that spend significant amounts of money in pursuit of these “big game” fish. This study sought to update and expand on trip expenditure data collected by NOAA Fisheries in the Northeast Region in 1998.

This new report found that Atlantic HMS Angling Permit holders were estimated to have spent $23.2 million on HMS trip expenditures (e.g., fuel, ice, bait, food), and $151 million on durable goods (e.g., boats, vehicles, rods and reels). These expenditures are estimated to have contributed $266 million in total economic output to the economy of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, $153 million in value added outputs, $96 million in labor income, and 1,824 jobs from Maine to North Carolina.

You can view the report here: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/economics/fisheries/recreational/angler-expenditures-economic-impacts/angling-expenditure-report-2011

or download the full report as pdf here: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/Assets/economics/fisheries/recreational/pdf/2011%20HMS%20Recreational%20Angling%20Expenditure%20Report%20FINAL%2011.19.14.pdf