Post by tunnels on Aug 8, 2007 10:26:17 GMT -5
Some notes from an article in today's Bucks County Courier Times:
Last years recreational anglers spent $40.6 Billion. Down 16% from 1996.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report from May says that fishing has stagnated over the last five years. Number of licenses have declined 15% since 1996.
Some possible causes:
Demographic shift from rural to urban locations.
Video games and kids not being outdoors unless it's structured time (baseball at 9, soccer at 11, team picnic at 4, etc.).
Fewer areas to fish because of development and easy access to walk-in fishing spots. The areas that are available get pressured and as a result, fewer quality fish are being caught.
I read a similar article(can't remember where) a couple of months ago about salt water declines. Gas is more expensive so fewer people drive to the shore to grab a head boat. The Captain doesn't go out to the "prime" spots because there are fewer people and he can't make money because of the cost of fuel. People don't catch many keepers so they don't go back. Sounds like a nasty circle !!
Don't know that I have a point here except to say that it's a shame that a good clean, pure sport/activity is slowly dying and may not be the same for future generations.
Last years recreational anglers spent $40.6 Billion. Down 16% from 1996.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report from May says that fishing has stagnated over the last five years. Number of licenses have declined 15% since 1996.
Some possible causes:
Demographic shift from rural to urban locations.
Video games and kids not being outdoors unless it's structured time (baseball at 9, soccer at 11, team picnic at 4, etc.).
Fewer areas to fish because of development and easy access to walk-in fishing spots. The areas that are available get pressured and as a result, fewer quality fish are being caught.
I read a similar article(can't remember where) a couple of months ago about salt water declines. Gas is more expensive so fewer people drive to the shore to grab a head boat. The Captain doesn't go out to the "prime" spots because there are fewer people and he can't make money because of the cost of fuel. People don't catch many keepers so they don't go back. Sounds like a nasty circle !!
Don't know that I have a point here except to say that it's a shame that a good clean, pure sport/activity is slowly dying and may not be the same for future generations.