Angler Numbers on the Upswing
by
Mary Jane Williamson
November 3, 2005—Alexandria, VA—The number of
paid fishing license holders in the United States has slightly increased
over the previous year, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
recent National Fishing License Report. Numbers rose 2.1 percent from
27,908,272 in 2003 to 28,499,206 in 2004. The sportfishing industry
sees this as a good sign that the trend of flat or slightly decreasing
numbers may be on the upswing.
"Angling is one of America’s most popular sports," said
Mike Nussman, president and CEO, American Sportfishing Association
(ASA). “It’s
a sport that everyone can enjoy. Spending time on the water is a great
way for families and friends to connect. We see this as a good sign and a
trend that we want to see continue.”
The number of resident licenses, tags, permits and stamps issued in 2004
increased nearly 2 percent over the previous year to 31.6 million,
while the non-resident quantity posted at 6.6 million, an increase of 3.7
percent over 2003.
Anglers continue to contribute more and more dollars in pursuit of their
sport. The 2004 figures show gross cost paid by anglers for licenses,
tags, permits and stamps—the primary funding source for sportfish conservation
and management programs in America—was $540.9 million. That total represents
an increase of 5.3 percent over 2003. Currently, one out of every 10
Americans has a fishing license. The number of anglers in America peaked
in the mid-1980s at 31.5 million. At the time, anglers represented approximately
19 percent of the U.S. population.
The table below provides a snapshot of fishing license sales over the last
three years:
| |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
| Certified Paid Fishing License Holders |
28,859,584 |
27,908,272 |
28,499,206 |
Total Licenses,
Tags,
Permits & Stamps |
37,951,435 |
37,564,694 |
38,421,267 |
Resident Licenses, Tags,
Permits & Stamps |
31,344,300 |
31,000,424 |
31,612,513 |
Non-resident Licenses, Tags,
Permits & Stamps |
6,607,135 |
6,564,270 |
6,808,754 |
| Gross Cost Contributed by Anglers |
$500,106,181 |
$512,970,894 |
$540,933,776 |
Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund
Earlier this year, President Bush signed into law the most significant legislation
for sportfishing and boating since 1984. The centerpiece of the legislation
is the successful capture of the federal fuel tax on motorboats and small
engines which will now be dedicated to sportfish restoration, angler and
boating access and boating safety. The legislation will consolidate the receipts
of the new Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and distribute them
according to a simpler and more equitable formula supported by the American
Sportfishing Association and a coalition of 33 other fishing and boating
organizations.
Formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, this reauthorization
will recover approximately $110 million per year of federal fuel taxes
currently being paid by anglers and boaters which was being diverted to the
general treasury. The full capture of the fuel tax will significantly boost
funding revenues for the Fund to approximately $570 million per year for
important angling and boating programs.
Statistical information was prepared by Southwick
Associates.
The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s
trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing
and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land
and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy
groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards
and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation values
of sportfishing.
