268 



In addition, consider that the average non-Ca- 

 nadian angler vlslllnc DrlUsh CoJumbIa In 1991 

 spent *6Vn OH per vcar. not Including Lranspor- 

 lallon. In Alaska, non resident anglers spent an 

 aver-ag<- of $172 48 per angler day In 1988 not 

 Including Irruisportatlon 



Assuming a fishing trip to Alaska Included four 

 days of fishing, Washington residents sp)cnt about 

 $ 13 million dollars to fish In Alaska during 1 99 1 . 

 not Including Irajisportatlon. In British Colum- 

 bia, expenditures from Washington anglers 

 lopped $32 million, nol includlngTransportatlon. 



\A/hllc many Canadian license holders arc fish- 

 ing oul of Washington ports, and some can fish 

 relatively Inexpensively using their own boats and 

 RVs. other trips c^-xii cost In excess of $1,000 per 

 day If an average transportation cost of $200 

 round trip Is assumed for each of these anglers 

 leaving Wa.shlnglon. another $13 million Is spent. 

 This brings the total for fishing expenditures by 

 Washington residents to fish Alaska and British 

 Columbia during 1991 to over $58 million dol- 

 lars. 



Not surprisingly, as Washington citizens have 

 fished more In British Columbia eind Alaska, pur- 

 chases of resident salmon licenses In our own 

 state has been declining. 



Tear Washington Resident Salmon Licenses 



1989 ;)34.648 



1990 325.207 

 I'jyi 3I3.46G 

 1992 265,574 



These statistics arc nol inlended to create feel- 

 ings of guilt among those of you who have ven- 

 tured North In pursuit of salmon. The point Is 

 not to create giilll hut to recognize that the suc- 

 cess of Washln.glon's recreational fishing busi- 

 nesses follows the health of the our fish resources. 

 Statistics such as these showing the Increasing 

 flow of dollars out of Washington make a con- 

 vincing argument that economics must be one of 

 the primary factors In fisheries management 



Past studies on the economics of fishing In 

 Washington have underestimated the contribu- 

 tions of the recreational flshlng industry. EVcn 

 though 80% of all recreational boats in Wash- 

 ington arc used for fishing, some studies did not 

 Include the purchase of boats as nn economic 

 factor asRoclalcd wllh fishing, fin 1991, Wash- 

 ington residents spent $ 106 million on boats used 

 for fishing). Others assumed that without recre- 

 ational fishing. Washington residents would 

 spend their money on another form of In-statc 

 recreation. 



But when statistics on the Increasing flight of 

 Washington residents to fish out-of-state are con- 

 sidered. It Is evident that Washington's anglers 

 will spend money lo fish - they 11 Just go to where 

 the fish are. As ocean salmon fishing In Wash- 

 ington hits Its lowest ebb In history. Washington 

 resident's dcmsmd for salmon fishing will In part 

 be relieved tiy fishing In British Columbia and 

 Alaska. 



Considering the health of Washington's salmon 

 runs, fisheries managers face great challenge In 

 protecting and enhancing weak stocks while cre- 

 ating benefit for Washington's citizens and busi- 

 nesses from available salmon resources. It Is cru- 

 cial that during this ecologlcad and economic cri- 

 sis, the businesses dependent on recreational 

 fishing unite with fishing clubs to have a strong 

 voice where It Is needed. 



ATKFC member I spoke ■with recently made an 

 excellent observation concerning the lack of qual- 

 ity sportflshlng in Washington; "If the fishing were 

 great, Id be out fishing. But It isn't and so Im 

 going to spend my time writing letters and mak- 

 ing phone calls to Olympla and Washington DC. 

 until II gels better." If you're trying to figure out 

 what to do 'With the time you would have spent 

 ocean salmon fishing this year, maytjc the best 

 thing to do Is to use some of It to let legislators 

 and agencies know how important fishing is to 

 you and your family. 



Ocean conditions for salmon are cyclical and 

 will chcmgc. Other Issues, from habitat to hydro- 

 electric power require the constant Input of an- 

 glers to be resolved to the benefit of our fish re- 

 sources. With Improvements In habitat and co- 

 operation from all sportflshlng groups and busi- 

 nesses. Washington anglers can be given the op- 

 portunity to catch their salmon, and spend their 

 dollars, right here at home. 



By Bill Clarke. 

 Northwest Marine Trade Association. 



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