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Reference: B.A.S.S. Report September 2004 - "A Review of the
Recreational and Economic Status of Bass in England and Wales and
Proposals for Revised Management of the UK Bass Fishery" Unlike the USA
and Ireland, the UK has been very slow to acknowledge the
significant annual economic generation, which lies within the sport
of sea angling. Anglers spend significant amounts of money in
pursuit of the species. Tackle, bait, travel and accommodation costs
The UK has lagged far behind other countries in realising the
economic potential of proactive management
of the marine fish species targeted by recreational anglers.
In Ireland, bass stocks have been managed with a view to long-term
sustainability of the natural resource since the 1980s. Further to
this, there have been an increasing number of returns from visiting
anglers.
Tourism based sea angling for bass now generates
millions per annum for the local and national economies. In 1997,
The Department of the Marine valued domestic and sea angling tourism
at £27 million per year in Ireland, which generated 1,250 full time
job equivalents and £6 million in tax revenue. Recent reports
estimate that tourism spending on sea angling in Southern Ireland is
predicted to rise to £40 million, with tax revenues of £8.5 million.
The Irish Government continues to see the development opportunities
for
recreational angling and in 2002; the Marine
Minister launched a €39 million euro (£24 million) investment plan
for the angling sector in Ireland. The investment plan will cover
all aspects of recreational angling including training, promotion
and marketing.
In the Spring of 2002, the Irish Government also
invested in an international advertising campaign aimed at
attracting 30,000 or more recreational sea anglers to Ireland, to
increase the annual income generated by sea angling by a further £12
million. Studies have shown that each visiting angler spends on
average a minimum of £650 per visit.
Such is the impetus of this approach to
recreational angling that many Irish inshore commercial fishermen
are considering a change from traditional commercial fishing to the
more lucrative charter sea angling business, which is expanding each
year.
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