Abstract

The current federal Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Billfishes prohibits the sale of four billfish species, which serves to reserve the fishery for recreational use only. This was done to maintain the highest availability of billfishes to recreational anglers. Yet, little is known about the social and economic aspects of the recreational fishery. A mail survey was conducted of a sample of 885 resident and 154 non-resident tournament billfish anglers in Puerto Rico. The random sample was drawn from a list of entries in the fourteen billfish tournaments held in Puerto Rico.; Anglers were asked about their tournament and non-tournament billfish fishing both in and out of Puerto Rico. Expenditures for non-durable goods and services were significantly different between resident and non-resident anglers. ; Billfish trip-related expenditures in Puerto Rico averaged over $700/personltrip for residents and nearly $4,OOO/personltrip for non-residents.; Annual consumer's surplus averaged $11,135. The total economic value of billfish fishing in Puerto Rico (expenditures + consumer's surplus) was estimated at $44 million.; The economic impact of non-resident billfish anglers to the Puerto Rican economy was estimated at $4.75 million and was responsible for over 200 jobs. ; The economic value of billfish fishing to the Puerto Rican economy suggests a need for continued protection, increased law enforcement, and educational programs which encourage catch and release fishing. Implications for billfish management in the Gulf and Caribbean region are discussed.

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