Recreational Fishing & Fishing Resource Conservation Management Rob Kramer President, International Game Fish Association

Threats to Our Fisheries Increased population and subsequent demand for seafood Increased population and subsequent demand for seafood Pollution – both global and local Pollution – both global and local Advances in fishing gear technology Advances in fishing gear technology Lack of fisheries data (biological and catch) Lack of fisheries data (biological and catch) Increasing competition for quota Increasing competition for quota

Population Increase 3 Billion in 1959 to 6 Billion in Billion in 1959 to 6 Billion in Billion by Billion by 2042

Demand for Seafood The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated … that global fish consumption will rise by 25% by 2030 The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated … that global fish consumption will rise by 25% by 2030 Freshwater/marine captured fisheries Freshwater/marine captured fisheries –95 million tonnes harvested –60 million tonnes for human consumption Aquaculture Aquaculture –1980 = 9 percent ; today = 43 percent –45.5 million tonnes eaten each year –Worth USD$63 Billion annually Employs nearly 4 million people in China alone Employs nearly 4 million people in China alone More People Are Eating Fish

Pollution Increase Many Sources of Global Pollution

Nonpoint Source Pollution The amount of oil running off of US streets is equivalent to an Exxon Valdez spill of 10.9 million gallons every eight months The amount of oil running off of US streets is equivalent to an Exxon Valdez spill of 10.9 million gallons every eight months Nitrogen runoff from farming is causing increased eutrophication of water bodies Nitrogen runoff from farming is causing increased eutrophication of water bodies

Point Source Pollution US feedlots produce more than 3 times the waste produced by the human population US feedlots produce more than 3 times the waste produced by the human population In 1 week a 3000 passenger cruise ship generates 210,000 gallons of sewage and 37,000 gallons of oily bilge water In 1 week a 3000 passenger cruise ship generates 210,000 gallons of sewage and 37,000 gallons of oily bilge water

Advances in Fishing Gear Of approximately 3.5 million fishing vessels estimated worldwide, only about 38,000, or roughly one percent, account for 50-60% of the world's total fishing vessel capacity. Of approximately 3.5 million fishing vessels estimated worldwide, only about 38,000, or roughly one percent, account for 50-60% of the world's total fishing vessel capacity. Advances in technology have allowed fishing fleets to become far more effective Advances in technology have allowed fishing fleets to become far more effective

Fishing Gear Impacts Destructive and Indiscriminant Fishing Gear Destructive and Indiscriminant Fishing Gear Trawls, dredges and other types of fishing gear can cause permanent damage to fragile and significant benthic habitats Trawls, dredges and other types of fishing gear can cause permanent damage to fragile and significant benthic habitats Non-targeted species can fall victim to improperly placed gear Non-targeted species can fall victim to improperly placed gear

Lack of Fisheries Data Biological & Catch Biological & Catch In the US, we only know the status of 45% of commercially fished stocks In the US, we only know the status of 45% of commercially fished stocks Many commercially fished stocks may be in trouble, but unknown to us Many commercially fished stocks may be in trouble, but unknown to us

Competition for Quota Allocation With only so many fish available, user groups must share the resource With only so many fish available, user groups must share the resource However, allocation is based on extraction

Extraction Management Stocks are managed based upon maximum sustainable yield - the largest long-term average catch or yield that can be taken from a stock or stock complex under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions Stocks are managed based upon maximum sustainable yield - the largest long-term average catch or yield that can be taken from a stock or stock complex under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions Not always good for recreational fishermen who want more fish and bigger fish Not always good for recreational fishermen who want more fish and bigger fish

So What Can Anglers Do? The Recreational Perspective Utilize and leverage recreational fishing as a major economic force Utilize and leverage recreational fishing as a major economic force Support angler licenses Support angler licenses Work to improve data collection Work to improve data collection Improve representation on fisheries management bodies Improve representation on fisheries management bodiesData/Information=Knowledge=Influence=Change

Economics & Participation US Recreational Salt Water Fishing 14 Million Anglers 14 Million Anglers 93 Million Fishing Trips 93 Million Fishing Trips $11.3 Billion Retail Sales $11.3 Billion Retail Sales $31.1 Billion Overall Economic Output $31.1 Billion Overall Economic Output Over 349,000 Jobs Over 349,000 Jobs 2002 American Sportfishing Association Economic Impact Analysis

New South Wales Striped Marlin Fishery RecreationalCommercial Economic Output $112 Million$4.6 Million Jobs90734 Gross Value$53 Million$1.24 Million Gross Value/Kilogram$46.45$6 96% (approximately $50 Million) of the recreational catch is released !

Self-Imposed Excise Tax Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funded by revenues collected from the manufacturers of fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, who pay an excise tax on these items to the U.S. Treasury Funded by revenues collected from the manufacturers of fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, who pay an excise tax on these items to the U.S. Treasury Funds are also received from import duties on sport fishing equipment, pleasure boats, yachts and tax from motorboat fuel sales. Funds are also received from import duties on sport fishing equipment, pleasure boats, yachts and tax from motorboat fuel sales. These funds are then distributed to states 75/25 These funds are then distributed to states 75/25 US Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act - has generated more than $5 billion over past 5 decades!

Sport Fish Restoration Fisheries Statistics Game Fish Research Habitat Improvement Fish Health Monitoring Artificial Reefs Education and Outreach Boating Access

Salt Water Fishing Licenses Funds to support research Funds to support research Funds to support law enforcement Funds to support law enforcement Funds to support stock enhancement Funds to support stock enhancement Increases angler’s influence on management if they are receiving funds Increases angler’s influence on management if they are receiving funds Generates Needed Revenue

Salt Water Fishing Licenses Data on the number of people fishing Data on the number of people fishing Data to conduct economic studies Data to conduct economic studies Data to conduct dependent fishery monitoring surveys Data to conduct dependent fishery monitoring surveys Generates Needed Data

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Understanding How Fisheries are Managed Coordination with Fisheries Scientists and ManagersCoordination with Fisheries Scientists and Managers Representation on national and international fisheries advisory panelsRepresentation on national and international fisheries advisory panels

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… ….on commercial fishing….on commercial fishing –Landings –By-catch ….on recreational fishing….on recreational fishing –Numbers of anglers –Landings Demand Better Data If you are not being counted, your vote doesn’t count

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Demand penalties for those who fish illegally Demand penalties for those who fish illegally Report violations Report violations International sanctions International sanctions Support through purchase decisions Support through purchase decisions Support Laws That Are In Place

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Articles promoting and explaining responsible fishing practices – Peer Pressure Articles promoting and explaining responsible fishing practices – Peer Pressure Articles on fisheries managers who are not acting in the best interest of the resource Articles on fisheries managers who are not acting in the best interest of the resource Articles on violators to the fishing laws Articles on violators to the fishing laws Articles on how anglers can become involved Articles on how anglers can become involved Work With the Media

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Catch & Release (sustainable, non- extractive fishing) Catch & Release (sustainable, non- extractive fishing) Using circle hooks Using circle hooks Limiting your catch Limiting your catch Practice and Promote Responsible Fishing Practices

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Fishing events for children Fishing events for children Aquatic laboratory exercises Aquatic laboratory exercises Lead by example Lead by example Educate the Next Generation of Anglers

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Support Cooperative Research

Other Ways Recreational Fishermen Can Help… Support Recreational Fishing Organizations 325 Representatives325 Representatives Over 100 countries Influential and knowledgeable recreational anglersInfluential and knowledgeable recreational anglers IGFA International Representatives

The Future