Valuating the preservation of aesthetic stream viewing by ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) stock enhancement

Abstract

The stock enhancement of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis, by inland water fi sheries cooperatives improves the productivity of inland water fi sheries and recreational fi shing and has an incidental function of preserving aesthetic stream viewing by preventing benthic algal proliferation. This study estimated the economic value of preserving aesthetic stream viewing by ayu stock enhancement and determined the factors that affect the economic value of preserving aesthetic stream viewing. We applied the double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method (CVM) using a questionnaire completed by 838 respondents from all over Japan, excluding Hokkaido and Okinawa. We found that the mean willingness to pay (WTP) for preserving aesthetic stream viewing by ayu stock enhancement corresponded to 4,216 yen per household. The important factors infl uencing the respondents' WTP were: respondents' experience of walking or jogging alongside the stream; swimming or playing in the stream; climbing a gorge; respondents living within 1 km of the stream; respondents who earn a higher annual household income; respondents who could pay the lower bid amount listed in the questionnaire.

Recreational value of Ayu fishing at the Okitsu River in Shizuoka Prefecture, evaluated using the travel cost method

“…ており，37) CVM により前二者が評価されている。37 39) CVM は，財や環境を守るために支払っても構わない金 額 (支払意思金額) からその価値を推定する手法であり， アユが増えることで川の景観が保たれる価値が全国平均 で 1 世帯あたり年間 4,216 円と評価されている。39) …”