Recreational

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Recreational Fishing Industry in Washington
State An Economic Review
Carl Burke, Director of Government Affairs,
Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
2
National Hunting Fishing Economic Overview

• 34 million anglers hunters
• 76 billion annually
• Spending greater than Microsoft, Google, eBay and
  Yahoo.
• 1.6 million jobs.

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
3
National Hunting Fishing Economic Overview
(cont.)

• 208 million spent daily
• 25 billion in federal, and state taxes.

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Washington State Recreational Fishing Industry

• Fish Northwest
• Northwest Marine Trade Association
• 71 boat builders statewide
• 800 support businesses

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Northwest Sports Fishing Industry Association

• 350 businesses
• Manufacturing, wholesalers, retailers, hotels,
  marinas, sports clubs and associations.
• 1200 businesses in the marine and tackle
  industry combined.
• 15,000 statewide employees

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Economic Contributions

• 3.7 billion annual revenue
• 99 million state taxes annually
• One of states larger businesses
• No single corporate identity/logo
• i.e. Weyerhaeuser, Boeing, Microsoft

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Mission

• Conservation recovery of the states fisheries
  resources
• Expansion of meaningful fishing opportunities
  participation when scientifically justified

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Values

• Recognize the fishing rights of Native tribes
• Recognize the role commercial fisheries play in
  providing fish to the public

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Decision Making Process

• Science Advisory Board
• 2 former directors of State fish and wildlife
  agencies.
• 4 retired scientists from federal regulatory
  agencies

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Decision Making Process (Cont.)

• Advise on all aspects of science, policy,
  politics, and demographics
• All non-paid volunteers

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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An Industry in Trouble

• 2001- 901,000 recreational fishing licenses
• 2006- 700,000 recreational licenses
• Exodus of angling tourist dollars to Oregon,
  British Columbia Alaska

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Why Are We in Trouble?

• Declining wild salmon steelhead populations
  resulting in a loss of meaningful opportunity
• The opportunity to fish in a predictable place
  and time with a reasonable expectation of
  catching a fish.

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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How can the Legislature Help?

• Legislature looks at ways to increase
  recreational opportunities.
• Benchmark what the 19 other coastal states doing?
• Support expansion of selective fishing statewide.

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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How can the Legislature Help? (cont.)

• Help with funding for hatchery reform
  initiatives.
• A Study regarding economic values and returns of
  various fishery options.
• Statues governing fisheries policies are 60
  years old.

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Legislative Involvement 2007

• HB 1651 boating activities
• Provided monies for boat ramps
• Increased marine law enforcement
• Derelict vessels ghost net removal
• Governors Puget Sound Initiative

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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest
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Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
Fish Northwest