Anglers Boost Economy

Economically, times are tough for everyone, but it seems that the die-hard anglers and hunters don’t mind digging deep when it comes to their favourite past-times. A new American survey confirms that angling and hunting participation numbers are actually up in the United States, which is a positive future indicator for the angling scene in South Africa. Leisure Boating examines why recreational anglers play such a key role in the South African economy and why the value of organised angling should be emphasised and treasured.

A study was conducted in 2007/2008 by a team of experts of the University of Stellenbosch and at the initiative of the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA) on the contribution of recreational angling to the economy of South Africa. The extensive study was the first of its kind ever to be undertaken in SA and it would go on to form a key element in assisting various Government agencies in their law making processes with regards to our local fishing. Some of the results found in the research were astounding.

It shows that a fish landed by a recreational angler generates up to 70 times more in income than if the same fish were caught commercially – on condition that the fish are available. According to the study, in 2007 approximately 2.5 million anglers spent R18.8 billion on their sport! The figure may, and probably has, declined with the global economic disaster but it was estimated that close to 31 000 anglers participate in deep sea angling annually. Being one of the major facets of sport and recreational fishing, deep sea angling contributed R6.8 billion in total economic impact in SA in 2007.