The implications of demographic change for recreational fisheries management in the United States

Abstract

Projected decreased rates of population growth, increased immigration, an aging population, and increased numbers and proportions of minority residents will impact the demand for recreational fishing and fisheries management in the United States. Recent age and race/ ethnicity specific population projections and data on participation in, and expenditures for, fishing were used to examine the impacts of future demographic trends on angler numbers, characteristics, and expenditures from 1990 to 2050. Results suggest that the projected rate of increase in the angler population will not keep pace with population growth and there will be older and larger minority components. Minority growth will account for the majority of net growth in angler numbers and expenditures with immigration playing a major role in such increases. Increased diversity will require better understanding of the benefits anglers seek from fishing and groups with low participation rates should be recruited to participate in recreational fishing.

Keywords:

• Demography
• fishing
• population
• projections
• recreation