CAPT. PAUL REDMAN

<DIV class=article-bodytext>

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ? The federal government says recreational saltwater fishermen pumped more than $31 billion into the U.S. economy in 2006, with Florida leading the pack.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says in a report released Monday that saltwater anglers spent $5.8 billion nationwide on expenses related to their fishing trips, such as ice and bait. Another $25.6 billion was spent on fishing equipment.

Florida anglers led the nation by spending more than $16 billion. Texas fishermen came in second with just more than $3 billion spent, followed by California, Louisiana and North Carolina.

At the national level, saltwater anglers are estimated to have spent $5.8 billion on trip-based expenses, such as ice, bait, and fuel, and another $25.6 billion on fishing equipment and durable goods like fishing rods, fishing tackle, and boats.

The report says the money spent nationally supported nearly 534,000 jobs. Officials say those figures will likely drop for 2007 and 2008 because of current economic woes.

In addition to quantifying angler expenditures, this study examines how these expenditures circulated through each state's economy and the national economy using a regional assessment. The $31.4 billion in total U.S. expenditures in 2006 contributed $82.3 billion in total sales, $39.1 billion to gross national product and $24 billion in personal income.

<U>IT LOOKS LIKE WE STEPPED IT UP A LITTLE FROM THE 5 BILLION DOLLAR MARK</U></DIV>

bluffman2

man i knew the #,s were high but had no idea that there was that much money spent....

spearfisher

Kudos to the PNJ for reporting this story. Recreational saltwater fishing is vital to the State of Florida and the City of Pensacola historically, culturally, and economically. In the face of the NMFS closing Red Snapper, and the ACOE shutting down reefing I hope that someone continues to follow the economic impact this has on the industry as a whole. When it is shown thatthe federal governmenthas been a detrament to the industry then we need to file a class action lawsuit for lost wages, income, and jobs.

Evensplit

Thanks for posting that Paul!

cobe killer

and how much was the commercial industry bringing into florida each year? somebody posted it a while back but i can't remeber what it was but i know it was no where close to

16 BBBillion.

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spearfisher

Here is the PNJ article if anybody wants to read the whole thing, or go comment on the article.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...=2009901130312

bluebaitboat

Hello Capt. Paul this is the baitboy an im doing a project in school about the whole amount of money people spend fishing for snapper grouper and all the other fish out there my teacher is how would say a tree hugger so i wrote this down and put your name under it to show who put these calculations up cant wait to see his face when i turn the project in

Thanks Capt Paul see you next summer

sincerily the baitboy:usaflag

user5505

Can I ask a Stupid question? :letsdrink The S O S plan from some of the charter boats will boost this $$$$ number? Seems to me that if youtake from our TAC, this # will go down?

Where is that nice Capt Eugene Cooly been lately?

Sorry if I stirred the pot!!!

need2fish

Saw that this morning - quite a jump from the $5 Billion figure we saw earlier (over 3x)

frydaddy

HIS NEW MOUTH PIECE IS BOB II.

SEE YOU IN BILOXI