The Decline of The Recreational Fishing Industry in California

Summary

The article by FishBio explores the decline of the recreational fishing industry in California despite the presence of plenty of outdoor fishing tournaments in the region. Notwithstanding the presence of black bass, a popular recreational fishing target in lakes such as Sacramento-Sao Joaquin Delta, there is a decline in angling according to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife report cited by the article. According to the same report, despite “20 percent of the state’s 1,567 tournaments targeting black bass in 2014” taking place in the Delta, there is a visible decline in fishing in the region, evidenced by the low participation recorded in the last U.S Census. In fact, the state of California ranked last in angling participation according to the same data cited by Fishbio.com (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1).

According to this report, only 6% of the state’s population engaged in outdoor fishing as a recreational activity. However, the FishBio article acknowledging the significant number of fish consumers in the state, with a reported 1.7 million anglers present, showing a relatively large number of fish consumers (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1). According to the same report, many recreational anglers may be put off by a steep rise in base sport fishing permits by state authorities as evidenced by the almost tenfold increase in charges from $5 in 1980 to $47.01 currently, a price cited as the second highest in the nation according to the FishBio report. However, the author is quick to mention fish conservation costs involving the preservation and breeding of popular sport fishing species as one of the causative factors (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1).

The decrease in participation by young adults in recreational fishing is another reason cited the FishBio report on the decline of recreational sport fishing in California, a state where majority of the anglers are middle aged white males, with an average income of roughly $50,000-$150,000 per annum (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1). Such statistics, the report’s author feels, only serve to provide evidence of excessive costs acting as a barrier to anglers of lower economic status. While recreational angling in California is witnessing dropping participation, the FishBio report acknowledges sports fishing's continuous popularity in the United States of America as evidenced by a 2011 survey carried out by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation report, as cited in by FishBio.com established an annual participation in recreational angling by over 33 million Americans of the age 16 years on over.

As such, over $48 billion raised from various commercial activities related to outdoor fishing, ranging from licensing, equipment and other related costs, highlights the state of the sport nationwide (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1). Another key variable cited by the Fishbio.com report in exploring the California recreational angling industry is the annual costs incurred by anglers in the region. Despite, the state’s 1.7 million anglers spending roughly $2.4 million as per the U.S F.W report cited by FishBio.com, California still ranked well behind Florida, the leading state, with well over 50 percent (The Decline of Recreational Fishing In California 1).

For the FishBio.com report’s author, it is easy to attribute the high licensing fees for the decline in recreational angling participation by California residents. However, the same report acknowledges the various conservation costs catered for by the fees. For instance, the charges are collected in a kitty the California state uses for “fisheries management, fish habitat protection along with education/outreach programs” (The Decline Of Recreational Fishing In California 1).Besides, many of these charges stem from federal regulations such as the Federal Aid in Sports Fish Restoration Act of 1950, a law placing tariffs on sports fishing equipment, with the same funds being diverted to the same fish conservation efforts. As such, FishBIo.com advises readers to embrace the charges as a donation towards the managing and conserving of critical state fisheries which are important for the sport of recreational angling (The Decline of Recreational Fishing in California 1).

Personal Comments

I feel that the report by Fishbio.com is an informative read for recreational anglers and conservation enthusiasts. In a well-researched accurately presented article, the Fishbio.com report tackles what arguably is a major factor affecting recreational fishing in California, the costs of engaging in the sport. It is evident from the report's findings; a drop in recreational angling participation may adversely affect fish conservation efforts due to low income generated from fishing license sales. The paradox, however, is a low turnout caused by exorbitant charges. Besides, along with the licensing costs, recreational anglers may face additional costs related to fishing equipment, traveling and associated costs which make the outdoor experience more costly for the average Californian.

However, despite identifying the causative factor, the author of the report fails to offer potential solutions aimed at solving the dropping participation rates in a state with a well-documented potential for recreational angling. For instance, despite reporting a decline in the involvement of the young adult demographic, it is surprising how the author fails to propose possible methods of attracting a population described as one of the fastest growing in the United States, and California in particular. In my opinion, I feel the author could have done more to ensure the reader is well informed of possible actions they may undertake to help increase participation in the sport.