Recreation, Sportfishing & the Economy

TRCP Media Summit October 19, 2011

Who is Southwick Associates?

We help people understand the economic issues and trends related to fish and wildlife
Based in Florida, raised on saltwater fishing we understand the issues!

Recreation in the U.S.

Which of the following U.S. industries contribute the most to the economy?
Restaurants = $498 billion

Lawyers/legal = $268 billion services Outdoor recreation

= $930 billion

Outdoor Recreation Stimulates

$289 billion in retail sales
o If it was a company, recreation would be ranked #3 on the Fortune 500

Over 6.4 million jobs

o 3.5 times more employees than Wal-Mart

$87.9 billion in state & federal tax revenues

o Ten times more than Americans spend at the movies

Which Industry Provides the Greatest Economic Impact?

Motion Pictures and Video Railroads Sportfishing Universities, Colleges, Tech schools

Which Industry Provides the Greatest Economic Impact?

Sportfishing Universities, Colleges, Tech schools Motion Pictures and Video Railroads

= $125 billion
= $121 billion = $ 81 billion = $ 67 billion

Marine Fishing!
$30 billion in economic activity, generated by:
$11 billion in retail sales
o More than Federal Express or American Express

263,898 Jobs
o Equivalent to Ford or GM

Over $4 billion in state and federal taxes

o Greater than the total tax revenues for 11 states

What are the Top Three States for Saltwater Fishing?

California Florida New Jersey New York Texas

What are the Top Three States for Saltwater Fishing?

Florida Texas California = 23.1 million days = 15.1 million days = 7.6 million days

Lets Look at Florida

Provides 27% of U.S. saltwater fishing activity.
o 93% of FLs fishing is in state waters.

Since 2000:
o Marine license sales held steady o Fish abundance is increasing o FLs population increased from 16.0 million to 18.8 million (18%)

What does Saltwater Fishing Mean to Florida?

$5.7 billion in economic activity: $3.3 billion in retail sales
o Twelve times more that the value of Floridas citrus cop

54,500 jobs
o Enough to employ half of Gainesville, FL

$345 million in state & local tax

revenues
o 37% more than the collection from all Florida toll roads

Fish=Anglers=Dollars=Jobs