The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this year granted to 13 eastern states and the District of Columbia a total of $44.5 million through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, according to Marvin Moriarty, Northeast Regional Director for the Service.
6pt"Through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, anglers directly support the conservation of sport fisheries by paying taxes on tackle and motor boat fuel," said Moriarty. "A proportion of the dollars they spend ultimately helps fund sport fish programs in their state.?
6ptSince the passage of the Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1950, more than $4 billion has been provided to state fish and wildlife agencies through this innovative program, said Moriarty. Amendments to the Act in 1984 increased the financial return to the states.
6ptAccording to Moriarty, states use the Sport Fish Restoration Program funds for fisheries research, aquatic education programs and equipment, and sport fish facilities such as boat ramps.
6ptSport fishing in the Northeast is a $10 billion industry supporting 100,000 jobs according to "Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime," a report published in 2002 by the American Sportfishing Association (
6ptThe Service will host fishing events at many national wildlife refuges as part of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 5 to 13. For more information on events, including free fishing days in each state, visit /www.fws.gov.
6pt; >-FWS-
6ptTable 1: Sport Fish Restoration Act Apportionment to Northeast States ? fiscal year 2004
Apportionment |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>$2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>868,423 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>6,630,580 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>6,628025 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>4,325,856 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>2,605,270 |
TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>$44,505,584 |
Table 2: Economic Benefits of Sport Fishing in the Northeast ? 2001
Source: Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime, American Sportfishing Association, 2002.
| Economic Output | Number of Jobs | Certified Paid License Holders | Collected License Fees |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>$389,375,629 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>3,097 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>171,100 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>$2,251,645 |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>112,253,889 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>1,036 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>22,859 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>234,113 |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>541,188,350 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>6,109 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>262,003 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>5,974,860 |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>1,063,396,570 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>1,1020 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>386,430 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>6,183,213 |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>888,486,177 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>8,169 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>163,019 | TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>4,222,758 |
| TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right>316,568,146 |
