Abstract

Work is underway on social and economic studies of recreational billfish fisheries in Mexico and in Costa Rica. In contrast with our previous billfish angler studies, (which have sampled billfish tournament anglers in lieu of a complete sampling frame of billfish angler), these studies will sample anglers who utilize charter boats to gain access to billfish fishing. We expect to find wider diversity than seen previously among billfish fishing community in terms of fishing motivations, attitudes toward the catch-related aspects of fishing, management preferences, trip expenditures, and willingness to pay above current fishing trip expenses. The two billfish fisheries will be described (i.e., geographical distribution of charter oerators, number of trips, etc.) and study design details (i.e., sample sizes, survey research design) presented. This paper will describe the conceptual and methodological aspects of each project in order to enhance human dimensions research understandings.

PDF Preview