AT RISK FROM MERCURY POLLUTION: ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FISHING AND RELATED TOURISM IN WISCONSIN

STATE EVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
August 2004

The rise of concerns about the impact of ongoing mercury pollution on lakes and streams in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States has prompted related worries that such fouling of prime fishing spots may lead to a decline of the cherished past time of fishing, which a 2001 Harris survey identified as the favorite outdoor activity of Americans.

How much of an economic blow would Wisconsin suffer if unresolved mercury pollution resulted in a decline of angling?

Federal and private data suggests even a 25 percent long-term decline in fishing in Wisconsin would have massive economic consequences. The most recent data (when updated for inflation) points to the following economic benefit from angling in Wisconsin:

• Retail sales: $1,087,583,137

• Salaries and wages: $526,343,153

• Jobs: 21,459

• Sales and motor fuel taxes: $70,500,255

• State income taxes: $12,563,497

• Federal income taxes: $55,406,050

• Total economic impact of fishing in Wisconsin: $2,066,610,378

Thus, a 25 percent long-term decline in fishing due to mercury pollution or other adverse factors would cost the economy of Wisconsin a whopping $516 million (in 2004 dollars). This substantial figure reflects what the American Sportsfishing Association (ASA) has noted: “Aside from being one of the most popular outdoor pastimes, fishing plays an important role in strengthening our economy and the vitality of our fisheries and waterways. Millions of anglers spend billions of dollars and support thousands of American jobs in communities from coast to coast. They generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year that return to local communities…”

A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON FISHING

The impact of angling in Wisconsin fits into the national picture of fishing, which includes:

• 44.3 million anglers.

• $41.5 billion in retail sales.

• $116 billion in overall economic impact.

• 1,068,046 jobs.

The top 10 states ranked by overall economic impact from fishing are:

State	Economic Output	#of Anglers
Florida	$7,455,766,835	3,103,582
California	$4,899,389,802	2,443,783
Texas	$4,563,411,333	2,372,499
Minnesota	$2,862,561,056	1,624,261
North Carolina	$2,327,232,596	1,286,574
Wisconsin	$2,315,761,994	1,411,571
Michigan	$2,173,318,216	1,353,589
New York	$2,068,763,922	1,549,637
Ohio	$1,860,851,503	1,370,765
Alabama	$1,676,108,986	851,470

Other key facts about the popularity of fishing in America include the following:

• More Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. More than one out of every six U.S. residents 16 and older went fishing in 1996. In 1996, 27 percent of U.S males fished, and 9 percent of U.S. females fished.

• The overall impact of angler expenditures would make sportfishing 32nd on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies, above such global giants as Target, Sears, and Johnson & Johnson. Nine times more jobs are supported by anglers than are employed by AT&T.

• On average, an angler spends over $1,200 every year on the sport. In 1996, anglers spent an average of 18 days fishing and took an average of 14 fishing trips. Anglers 16 and older took 420 million freshwater fishing trips in 1996, totaling 515 million days. Including saltwater anglers, 507 million fishing trips were taken, totaling 626 million days.

Sources:

• American Sportfishing Association, “Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime,” 2001.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “2001-2003 Report: Net Economic Values for Wildlife-Related Recreation in 2001.”

• National Sporting Goods Association, “Sports Participation in 1998.”

• Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va., Future of Fishing Project.