Volume 47
Understanding the social and economic Benefits of billfish angling
Authors
Ditton, R.B. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: 2005
Pages: 563-573
Event: Proceedings of the Forty Seventh Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Fort Pierce, Florida
Country: USA
Abstract
A more complete human dimensions understanding of recreational billfish fisheries is emerging from two recent studies in the U.S. Western Atlantic Ocean (Fisher and Ditton 1994) and in Puerto Rico (Ditton and Clark 1994). This paper will summarize new knowledge regarding the social and economic benefits of billfish angling since an earlier paper (Fedler and Ditton 1990) presented at the 1989 International Billfish Research Symposium. Also, this paper will give emphasis to existing as well as emerging research protocols for collecting human dimensions information from anglers and using it for fisheries management decision making purposes. Implications of new understandings for research, educational efforts, conservation organizations, the recreational fishing/tourism industry, and economic development will be discussed.