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I believe the Survey or question is a way to help assign a "value" to being able to fish. We all talk of the dollars we spend to pump up the recreational fishing industry, i.e. tackle, fuel, motels, guides etc.. This is another way to look at the value, ie. "what is it worth to you to fish". The fact is if recreational fisherman are to have a voice we need to have an economic argument. Warm and fuzzy feelings about fish and fishing etc. are nice, but we are dealing with businesses and politicans and money is what talks.
Here is what I wrote today to a Globe reporter on this topic.
"Personally as an avid saltwater fisherman, the value of the license, to be able to fish as well as to be able to be out fishing at sunrise or sunset or in the dark of night with the stars clearly visible is very high to me. Keeping 1 or 2 striped bass a year as a gift for a host is highly valuable to me as well. Just being able to have the opportunity to outwit them with a lure (especially a lure made by my 91 year old dad) is of a value that I cannot put dollars on.
It also allows me to pump up the economy, by paying for rods, reels and lures. Gas for my trips. Motels where I stay. I know I spend over $1,000 annually, maybe much more pursuing salt water fish in Massachusetts and throughout New England
Bill
Past President MSBA"
I not only love to be outdoors, be aconservationist and be a fisherman, I am also spending $ and lets face it today $$$$ talks.
The reality is, it is far cheaper to buy a pound of fish, then to outfit yourself and catch that pound of fish so there must be some real "value" to doing it. In my opinion, the survey is just trying to understand what that value is. I am a shore guy so my cost per pound of fish is probably lower than that of most boat guys, but I doubt the cost of owning a boat and outfitting it and using it to fish keeps boat guys from fishing so they must value it more than the out of pocket costs associated with doing it.
I belive the "cost" of the license is the least of the costs we are willing to pay to fish.
Bill
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