Study used by Gov. Bev Perdue’ shows recreational fishing far more important than commercial fishing to state economy

Even the study used by Gov. Bev Perdue to support commercial fishing shows recreational fishing is far more important to the state's economy.

Asking for Oregon Inlet dredging, Gov. Bev Perdue’s error shows huge economic impact from recreational fishing.

Statistics that Gov. Bev Perdue used to try and convince the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the dredging of Oregon Inlet last year provides plenty of fodder for those supporting changes in the way North Carolina manages its saltwater fisheries resources.

The plea by Perdue actually shows recreational saltwater fishing is far more important to the state’s economy than commercial fishing, which strengthens the argument for protection of red drum, speckled trout and stripers by granting those species gamefish status.In a letter to the USACE last year, when sources for dredging North Carolina inlets appeared to be drying up, Perdue quoted a 2006 study commissioned by Dare County to show that the dredging the inlet to a depth required for passage by large, commercial vessels was essential for the survival of the local commercial-fishing industry.

“The fishing industry is more than just a way of life to make a living,” Perdue wrote. “It is part of the Outer banks cultural heritage and brings millions of dollars to North Carolina every year.”

Perdue’s letter valued the commercial fishing industry in Dare County at $500 million, which was actually a figure that the survey placed on the value of recreational fishing to Dare County.

Sources said the governor should have known her statistics to be incorrect, given that the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries had established a value of slightly less than $300 million for the entire North Carolina commercial-fishing industry.

Louis Daniel, director of NCDMF, confirmed those numbers at the Jan. 5 meeting of the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.

The survey Perdue cited was titled “Study of the Benefits of Oregon Inlet to the Economy of Dare County and the Surrounding Region.” It was conducted in July 2006 by Moffatt & Nichol Engineering at the behest of the Dare County Oregon Inlet and Waterways Commission.

This survey can be found online at http://www.darenc.com/depts/oregoninlet/EconPres.pdf.

The survey said the full value of fishing to Dare County was 9,851 jobs and $682.7 million in four categories: commercial fishing, seafood packing and processing, boat building and support services, and recreational fishing and tourism.

The survey valued recreational fishing and tourism at 8,288 jobs and $502.3 million, plus an annual consumer surplus benefit of $8 million to $12 million. These expenditures included motel rooms, meals, tackle, boat fuel, dockage, ramp fees, gas, snacks, and other supplies and expenses incurred during fishing trips and visits to the county that obviously influence the need for a wide range of jobs.

Boat building and support services were second in value. At the time of the survey, Dare County had 16 boat builders and 88 support businesses that accounted for 1,235 jobs and a total of $139.8 million in economic benefit, based on the production of 25 boats per year at an average of $3 million, plus multiplier effects.

Seafood packing and processing totaled 238 jobs and $33.4 million in economic benefits. Commercial fishing accounted for 90 jobs, and had a value of $7.2 million. The seafood landed at Dare County processors had an average ex-boat value of $12.5 million for the years 1995 to 2005, but some of this went to interests outside of the county. Together, benefits from the two commercial-fishing categories accounted for 328 jobs and $40.6 million in annual revenue.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The legislative Saltwater Review Committee is tasked with determining what changes to saltwater fisheries management – including the possibility of granting gamefish status to red drum, speckled trout and stripers – by April.

We encourage our users to email committee members to support gamefish protection for these species by clicking on link below:

• Harry Brown
• Don East
• Thom Goolsby
• Bill Rabon
• Tommy Tucker
• Jean Preston
• Stan White
• Darrell McCormick
• Dan Ingle
• Ruth Samuelson
• Danny McComas
• Bryan Holloway
• Pat McElraft
• Tim Spear
• Brent Jackson
• Tom Murry

Track the committee’s action and learn more about the fight to protect the valuable saltwater fisheries by subscribing to the dedicated NorthCarolinaSportsman.com Gamefish Status page.