Valuing Bag Limits in the North Carolina Charter Boat Fishery with Combined Revealed and Stated Preference Data

Abstract

We use telephone survey data on charter boat anglers to estimate demand models to value snapper-grouper and king mackerel bag limits in the North Carolina forhire fishery. The telephone survey presents respondents with hypothetical situations about higher charter fees and lower snapper-grouper and king mackerel bag limits and asks about the number of trips they would take in each situation. Stated preference trip responses are used in a jointly estimated revealed and stated preference demand model. We find that reduction in the snapper-grouper bag limit from 15 fish to 7 fish would reduce the annual aggregate value of charter boat fishing by 29% due to quality effects. The reduction in the snapper-grouper bag limit would reduce the number of charter boat fishing trips by 25% and aggregate economic value an additional 25% million.

Angler apps as a source of recreational fisheries data: opportunities, challenges and proposed standards

“…Demographic data such as sex, age, postal code and nationality are also useful. Although some of the information that is collected above can be gleaned from the app data, a short survey will provide insight into stated versus revealed preference (Whitehead et al 2011), and help to track changes in demographics and behaviour over time (Ditton et al 1992), which can be useful when collecting, analysing and correcting for interangler variability in catch rates and, more generally, angler behaviour and motivation. For example, anglers could report the number of years that they have been angling.…”

“…Other potential questions include preferred gear type, the importance of fishing relative to other leisure activities (which is another window into specialization; Ditton et al 1992), and membership in fishing clubs (which will allow managers to generate specialized reports and form partnerships that encourage recruitment and retention). Although some of the information that is collected above can be gleaned from the app data, a short survey will provide insight into stated versus revealed preference (Whitehead et al 2011), and help to track changes in demographics and behaviour over time (Ditton et al 1992), which can be useful when collecting, analysing and correcting for interangler variability in catch rates and, more generally, angler behaviour and motivation. The survey should be designed in consultation with the appropriate experts, and anglers should be invited to update their responses periodically (e.g.…”

Recreational Visits to the Adam’s River during the Annual Sockeye Run: A Travel Cost Analysis

“…Hesseln et al (2003) reported that immediately after a crown fire, consumer surplus per trip equaled $90 for hikers and $10 for mountain bikers. Finally, Whitehead et al (2008a) reported estimates of consumer surplus per trip of approxi mately $90 for visits to North Carolina beaches, while Whitehead et al (2011) reported an estimate of consumer surplus per trip of $273 for recreational grouper, king mackerel, and snapper fishing in North Carolina. It should be noted, however, that the results of this study are not directly comparable to any of those referred to above.…”

“…They were concerned with the impact of improved access to beaches and increasing the average width of beaches on the net benefits accruing to visitors. They estimated a randomeffects Poisson model and found that while hypothetical bias was reflected in the SP data, it did not have a statistically significant impact on estimates of consumer surplus per trip.12 Whitehead et al (2011) considered changes in the net benefits from recreational fishing; they also utilized Englin and Cameron's (1996) framework. Their issue of particular concern was the impact of a simultaneous increase in the boat charter fee and decrease in the bag limit for either snapper-grouper or king mackerel.…”

A recreation demand model of the North Carolina for-hire fishery: a comparison of primary and secondary purpose anglers

“…Head boats carry more passengers and operate on a posted schedule. Whitehead et al (2011) use data from a follow-up telephone survey of a subsample of these charter anglers to estimate demand models to value snapper-grouper and king mackerel bag limits in the North Carolina for-hire fishery.…”