Socioeconomic Assessment
In today's "Information Age," economic research and analysis are vital to the broad approach necessary to address Florida's complex fish-, wildlife- and habitat-related issues.
The Socioeconomic Assessment Office, part of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, provides decision-makers with an understanding of the economic value, impact, benefits, costs and efficiency measures directly related to the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. Although the primary audience for this information is the Florida Legislature and FWC resource managers, we recognize the importance of communicating economic information to the public as well.
Economics of Fish & Wildlife Recreation in Florida
When a family goes fishing or hunting, buys binoculars to view wildlife, visits a nature preserve, goes boating or visits a seafood restaurant in Florida, it is contributing to the economic prosperity of the state and to jobs. Results from various studies, summarized on this page, show in human terms the value of protecting and managing wildlife.
Economic Impacts of Hunting, Freshwater Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Wildlife Viewing and Recreational Boating
(Reviewed June 2016)
| Category |
Economic Contribution |
Jobs |
| Hunting* |
$1.6 billion |
14,673 |
| Recreational Freshwater Fishing* |
$1.7 billion |
14,040 |
| Recreational Saltwater Fishing** |
$8.0 billion |
114,898 |
| Wildlife Viewing* |
$4.9 billion |
44,623 |
| Recreational Boating*** |
$10.4 billion |
82,752 |
* 2011 data
** 2014 data
*** 2013 data
Hunting, Recreational Freshwater Fishing and Wildlife Viewing Expenditures
(2011 data)
| |
Hunting |
Freshwater Fishing |
Wildlife Viewing |
| Participants |
242,000 |
1,227,000 |
4,308,000 |
| Total Expenditures |
$716 million |
$710 million |
$3 billion |
| Trip-related |
$281 million |
$461 million |
$1.7 billion |
| Equipment and other |
$435 million |
$249 million |
$1.3 billion |
| Average per participant |
$2,824 |
$578 |
$668 |
Recreational Saltwater Fishing Expenditures (2014 data)
| Fishing Goods |
Trip Expenditures |
|
Equipment |
Durable Goods Expenditures |
| |
Non-Residents |
Residents |
Fishing Tackle |
2,107,204 |
| For Hire |
299,660 |
40,733 |
Other Equipment |
894,740 |
| Private Boat |
137,458 |
387,377 |
Boat Expenses |
5,301,084 |
| Shore |
210,978 |
117,769 |
Vehicle Expenses |
578,136 |
| Total |
648,096 |
545,880 |
Second Home Expenses |
76,255 |
| |
|
|
Total Durable Expenditures |
8,957,419 |
| |
|
|
Total State Trip and Durable Goods Expenditures |
10,151,395 |
Recreational Boating Expenditures (2013 data)
| Total Expenditures |
$10.3 billion |
Sources
Sources Hunting: Southwick Associates. Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation. Produced for the National Shooting Sports Foundation in partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 2012. Link
.
Recreational freshwater fishing: Southwick Associates. Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation. Produced for the American Sportfishing Association under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration grant (F12AP00137, VA M-26-R) awarded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 2012. Available at Link.
Recreational saltwater fishing: National Marine Fisheries Service. 2016. Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2014. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-163. Link
Wildlife viewing: Southwick Associates. The 2011 Economic Benefits of Wildlife Viewing in Florida. Prepared for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Link
Recreational boating: National Marine Manufacturers Association. Economic Significance of Recreational Boating in Florida. 2013. Link
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