Economic impacts of recreational boat fishing in the Houston-Galveston area of the Texas coast

Date

1980

Authors

Ditton, R.B.
Graefe, A.R.
Lapotka, G.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas A&M University Sea Grant College Program

Abstract

The saltwater fishing patterns and economic impacts generated by recreational boat fishermen in the Houston-Galveston area of the Texas coast were investigated. Data was obtained through a mail survey of registered boat owners residing in an eight-county area surrounding Galveston Bay. About 31 percent of the boats in the study area were used for salt-water fishing in Galveston Bay or adjacent offshore waters during 1978. Saltwater boat fishermen spend more than 31 million dollars for their fishing trips in 1978, with bay fishermen spending $26,462,000 and offshore fishermen spending $5,046,000. Non-local bay fishermen spend $7,439,000 in bayshore communities and non-local offshore fishermen spend $1,970,000 in coastal communities. The economic impact of saltwater boat fishing trips in the region was $79,751,000. Since this study does not present the total economic influence of saltwater boat fishing in the study region, some factors which should be discussed when assessing the values and benefits of saltwater boat fishing are discussed.

Description

52 p.

Keywords

recreation, sport fishing, economic analysis, boats

Citation