Last week, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) released the 2023 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts report, an update of previous data in partnership with Southwick Associates. The report highlighted the social and economic importance of sportfishing (saltwater and freshwater) across the United States and focused on the economic contributions to the respective state economies from anglers who live within each congressional district.
The report stated that we have nearly 52 and a half million anglers in our respective saltwater and freshwater communities. We contribute $148 billion in economic output and support 945,500 jobs, while also contributing $1.8 billion towards conservation. While jobs supported include those directly involved in the community like the manufacturing and sales of fishing equipment and gear, this document also highlighted the number of jobs indirectly supported by our groups, such as lodging, for-hire cars, restaurants, and more.
Some key takeaways for those in FL, 4 of the top 5 districts with the largest amount of jobs supported are in the sunshine state, and in the state of FL, the sportfishing community’s economic output is nearly double of the next largest state in the report – Texas.
The data were compiled through both previous estimates from past ASA studies and data collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
To read more and see how much your congressional district is impacted by sportfishing please go here.
