Economic Significance of Sportfishing in Alaska Project - 2007

Project Overview

What is the purpose of the project?

The purpose of this project is to provide reasonably precise and up-to-date information on the economic contributions of angler spending to the Alaska economy at the statewide, regional, and key sub-region levels. It is an economic significance study that will estimate the total expenditures associated with sport fishing in Alaska in 2007, as well as estimates of the total direct, indirect and induced economic effects of angler spending in terms of total jobs, total wages and salaries, tax receipts, etc. at various geographic levels and by residency. One of the key objectives of the project is to establish a consistent and repeatable methodology for collecting and reporting estimates of economic contribution of sportfishing in Alaska on a periodic basis (3-5 years) at the statewide, regional, and sub-regional level for the purposes of tracking and comparing such estimates over time, as well as making reasonably current estimates available to planning and regulatory decision-makers.

Why is this study needed?

As part of its mission and strategic plan, the Division of Sport Fish must manage sport fisheries according to the sustained yield principle and in ways that attempt to optimize social and economic benefits to Alaskans. The Division is also required to provide the Legislature with periodic updates on a number of key performance measures related to its management of fish and wildlife resources in Alaska. These measures include estimates of the economic contribution of sportfishing to the state of Alaska for key regions and by residency. The most recent economic impact assessment conducted by the Division was completed in 1999 with estimates for 1993 fishing activity, meaning that detailed economic impact estimates are 14 years old.

Who will be surveyed as part of this project and what information is needed?

In order to develop estimates of the total economic contributions of sport fishing, a third-party contractor will be surveying a sample of licensed anglers in Alaska to collect information on their expenditures for sport fishing in a given time frame (annual and trip-based). Anglers will be asked to provide detailed information on money they spent on sport fishing-related equipment and trip-related expenditures, such as fuel, guide/charter expenses, lodging, food, etc. in terms of where such money was spent in 2007. In addition, anglers will also be asked to provide basic information on fishing participation (number of days fished in/out of Alaska, areas fished, satisfaction with fishing activities, etc.) and basic demographics. Surveys of sport fishing lodges, guides, or charter operators, or other fishing-related businesses will also be conducted and will likely include questions related to total number of full-time and part-time employees, business expense categories, total wages & salaries, residency of owners, etc.)

Who is conducting this study?

This research project is being conducted by a third-party contractor for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish using a combination of state Fish and Game funds (from license sales) and General Fund monies provided by the Alaska Legislature in 2006. The contract was issued through the State of Alaska competitive bid process in February 2007 to Southwick Associates--an economic consulting firm with extensive experience conducting economic studies of this type throughout North America. Below is the link to the Request for Proposals (RFP) document that was used to solicit a contractor for this study.

RFP

What is the geographic scope of the project?

The Division of Sport Fish is interested in estimating the total direct and indirect economic contributions of sport fishing in Alaska (total expenditures, jobs, wages & salaries) statewide and for each of the primary sport fish management regions (Southeast, Southcentral, and Interior regions). In addition, economic estimates for two sub-regions of the sport fishing economy, namely: marine sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, and all sport fisheries in the Cook Inlet sub-region, will also be produced.

What types of information will be generated by this research project?

This study will essentially provide a measure of raw economic activity generated by sport fishing activities in the state of Alaska in 2007. Measures of total direct, indirect, and induced economic impact (total expenditures, jobs, wages & salaries, tax revenues) will be reported at various geographic scales, including statewide and within key sport fish management regions and sub-regions. Aggregate measures of economic contribution of sport fishing provided for each geographic region will include breakouts of the contribution of Alaska residents and nonresidents visitors to the total, aggregate measures of economic impact.

How can I stay informed about this project?

This webpage was designed to keep members of the public informed on the progress of this project. Periodic updates on the project will be posted on the project updates section of this page. In addition, news releases will be sent to the media outlets at several points during the study, namely, when public meetings on the project are schedule, when data collection begins, and when final reports are available.

If you have a questions about this project, please contact: Bill Romberg, Fisheries Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish at 907-267-2366, or via e-mail at: william.romberg@alaska.gov

Project Timeline

Project Team

Contractor: Southwick Associates

Principal Investigator: Southwick Associates, Inc.
Rob Southwick, Overall Coordination, Survey Coordination
Mario Teisl, Statistical Design, QA/QC, Project Consulting
Tom Allen, IMPLAN & Survey Design

Project Manager: Bill Romberg, Fishery Biologist

Assisting Personnel: Allen Bingham, Biometrician
Gretchen Jennings, Program Coordinator
Tammy Wettin, Research Analyst
Kathrin Sundet, Research Analyst
Mark Burch, Planner
Amy Alderfer, Administrative Assistant