In 2008, U.S. commercial and saltwater recreational fisheries generated $163 billion in sales impacts and supported 1.9 million full- and part-time jobs. This value would increase considerably if the additional economic output of diving and other ecotourism industries that depend on thriving fish populations were also included.
The Pew Environment Group recommends that Congress prioritize the following six relatively low-cost but high-yield investments for Fiscal Year 2012 and at a minimum fund the President’s request for the following core data-collection and monitoring programs, totaling $346.3 million:
Expand Annual Stock Assessments: $67.1 million, an increase of $16.2 million over the Fiscal Year 2010 enacted level. Stock assessments are scientific analyses of the health of fish populations and the amount of fishing they can support. Investment in assessments will increase the scientific certainty associated with setting annual catch limits, help fishery managers to increase commercial and recreational fishing opportunities and minimize the risk of overfishing.
Read the entire PEW fact sheet.