Figure 4. Recreational boating and public access 

 to the water are a major concern in future use of 

 the coastal zone. (Coast Guard photo) 



A summary of the number of boats presently 

 registered by States, along with a brief statement 

 of State numbering requirements, is shown in 

 Appendix B. 



A review of boating accident statistics indicates 

 that improved boating safety is perhaps a matter 

 of sound education and not regulatory licensing.* * 



The Coast Guard has proposed legislation to: " 



— EstabUsh safety standards applicable to the 

 manufacture of recreational boats and associated 

 equipment and regulate as necessary items of 

 equipment carried on recreational boats 



—Approve State boating safety programs designed 

 to reduce boating accidents if they comply with 

 certain Federal requirements 



—Make grants-in-aid to the States to assist in 

 carrying out their boating safety programs. 



VI. SPORT FISHING AND HUNTING 



Sport fishing and hunting, both important in 

 coastal areas, are increasing at a rate faster than 

 National population growth. Estimates place the 

 number of serious salt water sports fishermen at 

 8.3 million. An additional three million participate 

 to a lesser extent and on the Great Lakes.' ^ In 

 1966, 97 million man-days and an estimated $800 

 million were spent on the sport." By the year 

 2000, the number of anglers is expected to 

 triple.^ ° If trends continue, salt water angling will 

 represent about one-third of the National sport 

 fishing effort. 



The Department of Interior's Bureau of Sport 

 Fisheries and WildUfe estimates that there are 

 about 1 1 million persons who do not hunt or fish, 



Figure 5. There are over 8 million sports fishermen who constitute an important use of the 

 coastal zone. (Bureau of Outdoor Recreation photo) 



*" Statement of Reai Admiral W. L. Morrison, U.S.C.G., 

 Assistant Chief of Staff for Boating Safety, U.S. Coast 

 Guard, to Special Studies Subcommittee of the Commit- 

 tee on' Government Operations, July 1, 1968. 



"h. R. 15223 and S. 3015 of the 90th Congress, 

 entitled Recreation Boat Safety Act. 



^^ Progress in Sport Fishery Research, Department of 

 the Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife 

 Resource Publication 39, April 1967. 



^^Estuarine Programs, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 

 Wildlife report, January 1967. 



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