SEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Rob Southwick, Tom Allen – Southwick Associates

ABSTRACT: From generating dollars for conservation to maintaining public support for fisheries and wildlife, economic information is an important tool for management agencies and natural resource advocates. The recent release of the 2016 USFWS National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated recreation provides a broad picture of how these activities benefit state, regional and national economies. This paper will present the jobs, tax revenues and other economic contributions from fish and wildlife-related recreation in the (Southeast) U. S. and trends. Examples showing how resource agencies can apply economic information to increase public, legislative and media support will be included. Economic figures will be compared to popular and well-known activities to help the listener comprehend the magnitude and importance of fish and wildlife recreation to state and national economies. Discussion will be provided regarding changes in the survey methodology and how to properly draw long term trends. Information to be presented have been compiled from recent research conducted for the American Sportfishing Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation with funding from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Multi-State Conservation Grant program.