Does Recreational Angling contribute to the economy?

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has appointed Tourism Development International (TDI) to undertake a Socio-Economic Survey of Recreational Angling in Ireland. The overall objective of the survey is to establish the current volume and value of domestic and overseas recreational angling in Ireland. It will run over the course of 2012.

Pike, coarse fish, bass, salmon, sea trout, brown trout and sea anglers will all be invited to participate in Irelands most comprehensive angling survey undertaken in decades. The Survey will inform IFI and its tourism partners in relation to the angling product in Ireland and also enable improved strategic planning and decision making in respect of product development and marketing.

‘Anglers are the key to this survey’, commented Minister Fergus O Dowd, TD, ‘they know the resource and they understand the importance of sustainability. What anglers contribute to Ireland’s economy is unknown but I am certain that it is significant. Angling takes place in every river and lake in Ireland and all around our coastline. There is no town or village in Ireland that doesn’t have anglers. It is imperative that the inland fisheries and sea angling resources are managed in the best way possible to ensure enjoyment for our local and visiting anglers, sustainable jobs in rural communities and maximising its potential to add to Ireland’s economy. Getting the right information from those most involved will greatly assist in improving the angling product.’

The survey comprises two parts, a household survey and a survey of recreational anglers which will commence in April. Anglers will be met at fishing locations throughout Ireland and invited to participate there and then, or later by phone or on-line. Every effort will be made to accommodate participation.

...ENDS...

Media enquiries

Suzanne Campion ,Head of Business Development, Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.
Tourism Development International is an Irish company founded in 1988 to provide consultancy advice which is pragmatic and sustainable for the tourism and leisure industries worldwide. The company has an in-house team of experts who have been grounded in the industry and has the support of specialist consultants where appropriate.
The survey will address the following questions:

To provide an estimate of the overall volume of domestic and overseas anglers and assess its reliability.
To provide an estimate of the volume of domestic and overseas anglers by category and assess the reliability of these estimate:-
- Game – Salmon/Trout/Sea trout
- Coarse
- Pike
- Sea
- Bass
To prepare an estimate of angling expenditure (domestic and overseas; and by category), to consider and select the most appropriate method of valuation in consultation with IFI considering the various definitions of economic value including income arising, willingness to pay, existence value, option value, and the social and economic value of angling tourism to the exchequer etc.
To obtain profile and travel pattern information on the five categories of anglers (i.e. country of residence; first time or repeat visitor; age; occupation; mode of transport; type of accommodation used etc broken by domestic/overseas.)
To review retrospectively recent trends using previous studies(i.e. changes in profile, time of arrival; length of stay etc.) and highlight emerging trends in angling tourism.
To obtain information on the number of trips and angling locations/ fisheries used by anglers during their visit.
To obtain an insight into the motivations of visiting anglers both domestic and overseas. (What is Ireland’s unique selling proposition as an angling destination?)
To establish anglers’ opinions and attitudes on the Irish angling product (overall quality of angling experience; environmental issues; shortcomings; value for money etc.)
To obtain feedback from anglers on suggested initiatives to improve the quality of the angling experience (both product and marketing related issues to be explored).
To benchmark the Irish angling experience against competitor destinations which anglers have experienced.