A combined SP-RP model to estimate the value of improvements in freshwater angling in England

Abstract

This paper estimates the value of improvements in the quality of freshwater angling sites in England, combining the results of stated preference (SP) models and a revealed preference (RP) model of the anglers' actual choices of fishing sites and number of trips over a season.The paper provides comprehensive information into what anglers value and how much, considering all fishery types (coarse, game, and mixed) and water body types (river, stillwater, and canal) and a wide range of fish species. The study also considers several locational characteristics of the fishing sites, which have seldom been included in either SP or RP studies. We found that anglers attach a substantial value to lack of pollution, availability of pegs, and an attractive site environment. On average, the maximum possible improvement in one of these attributes in a given site more than doubles the number of visitors to that site and generates a total additional benefit of more than £10 per existing trip. Increases in fish size and quantity are also predicted to cause considerable changes in the number of visits and additional benefit, especially when moving from small/low to medium levels.

Revealed preference valuation of beach and river water quality in Wales

“…The linked model thus accounts for site substitution effects and changes in the number of visits to all sites. Johnstone and Markandya (2006) and Anciaes et al (2020) used this model to value various aspects of river water quality in the context of angling trips in England.…”

“…First, we use the method to value both beach and river water quality, for all recreational uses. As noted above, the studies of Johnstone and Markandya (2006) and Anciaes et al (2020) were limited to angling trips to rivers. Second, we use the method to estimate values at the national level, based on the behaviour of a nationally representative sample, aggregated for the whole population of Wales, and mapped to show where potential benefits of improving water quality are higher.…”

Research on customers’ willingness-to-pay for service changes in UK water company price reviews 1994–2019

“…Revealed preference (RP) methods have been used extensively to value different water qualities for different water based recreations anglers, boaters, simmers, etc. (see Breen, Curtis, and Hynes 2018;Anciaes, Metcalfe, and Sen 2020). Anciaes (2021) reports a PR19 study for Welsh Water which used user data from the Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey and from Natural Resources Wales of beach and river visits.…”