The Value of the Ontario Sport Fishery An Economic Analysis

Abstract

<p> Over the past decade public decision makers have become increasingly concerned with the potential impacts of their decisions upon values associated with fish resources. These impacts can often involve large-scale alternation of natural habitats. Recreation is an important use of the fisheries resource. Anglers in Ontario spent more than 43 million days engaged in sport fishing expending more than 650 million dollars within the Province in 1980 (Government of Ontario, 1980). This paper deals largely with conceptual methods of measuring the economic benefits of recreational fishing. It is intended to serve several purposes: to present a review of the economic evaluations of recreational fishing and to expand certain conceptual concepts of the subject. High priority steps that should be taken to develop appropriate fishing values which can be used in policy decisions are also presented.</p>