“Did You Know?” – Interesting facts from the IGFA

This month the IGFA features some facts from affiliated partners in the marine and fishing communities including the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

• Boaters and anglers are significantly more satisfied with their marriages, relationships and friendships — and are more likely to have a close relationship with their children – than those who don’t boat or fish.
• Boaters and anglers are more likely to recycle, carpool and donate money to environmental organizations than people who aren’t boaters and anglers.
• Connecting with family is a primary reason for going fishing.

            Source: RBFF online survey (2007)

The National Marine Manufacturers Association  

• Nearly one-third of U.S. adults went boating in 2006, up nearly two percent from the previous year.
• Americans own approximately 18 million recreational boats.
• Sales of new boats nationwide reached $15 billion in 2006, up from $14.7 billion in 2005 and $10.7 billion in 2004. A total of 912,300 boats were sold in 2006, a five percent increase from the number sold in 2005.

            Source: 2006 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract (2007)

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• One in eight American adults – more than 30 million – fish, as do some eight million children ages six to 15. In 2006, they fished 517 million days and took 403 million trips.
• Anglers pumped more than $42 billion dollars into the national economy in 2006. Of that total, nearly $18 billion was spent on travel-related expenses, with $6.3 billion going to food and lodging, and $5 billion to transportation costs.

            Source: 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2007)