2000 Profile of Sport Fishing in Nova

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--2000 Profile of Sport Fishing in Nova Scotia

Newly released numbers show that sport fishing is having a greater impact than it has in the past on Nova Scotia's rural economies.

Direct and indirect spending by anglers increased significantly to $56.6 million in 2000 from $41.8 million in 1995. From these and other types of expenditures, it is estimated that the economic impact of the sport fishery in Nova Scotia is $85 million each year.

These figures were found as part of a national sport fishing survey that has been conducted every five years in provinces and territories since 1975. They were based on information about the year 2000.

"With 6,700 lakes, 100 rivers and thousands of brooks, Nova Scotia is well known for its quality sport fishing opportunities," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "The survey results tell us more about the people who take part in the sport, the money they spend in the province and their fishing activities."

In 2000, 58,524 licensed anglers participated in the sport fishery. Of that, 56,031 were Nova Scotia residents and 2,470 were non-residents, mainly from other regions in Canada. The number of youth who participated in the fishery is estimated to be about 16,848. Licence sales increased by 1.2 per cent from 1995 to 2000.

Most licensed anglers rated their 1.2 million combined days of fishing in Nova Scotia as good, very good or excellent. The average resident angler fished 18.5 days during the year, while non-residents fished an average of 5.4 days. This compares to an average of 19.7 and 6.4 days, respectively, in 1995. An estimated 4.7 million fish were caught in 2000.

Fishing activity among resident anglers was highest in Halifax and Lunenburg counties and Cape Breton Regional Municipality; non-residents seemed most attracted to Inverness County.

"This information will allow government, recreational fishing organizations and communities to make decisions about conservation measures, regulations and marketing," said Murray Hill, director of Inland Fisheries for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. "We are encouraged by the 2000 findings and are working to enhance sport fishing opportunities in Nova Scotia."

Nova Scotia's 2000 survey was conducted by the Inland Fisheries division in co-operation with the Economic Analysis division of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Questionnaires were sent to 2,414 people who purchased recreational fishing licences in Nova Scotia in 2000. Fifty-five per cent, or 1,322, were returned and considered to be representative of the licensed participants in Nova Scotia's sport fishery.

More information is available on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/sportfishing/home.htm .