June 4-12 is National Fishing & Boating Week
June 01, 2005
At a time when many parents are concerned that their kids spend far too much time indoors, fishing is a good way to motivate them to get off the couch. The Alabama Department of Conservation and National Resources (ADCNR) and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) are encouraging people to partake in recreational activities during the third annual National Fishing and Boating Week June 4-12. National Fishing & Boating Week (NFBW) is a key component of the RBFF's national advertising campaign, “Take Me Fishing.” The effort is designed to increase angler and boater participation by promoting boating and fishing as unmatched leisure activities for true connection with family, friends and the natural environment.
Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that kids spend an astounding 44 hours a week with TV, computers and video games. Perhaps that’s why Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods,” says that kids today suffer from “nature-deficit disorder.” The RBFF suggests that parents seeking a cure should try family fishing. “Fishing differs from many other forms of outdoor recreation because it not only gives kids a lasting way to connect to nature, it improves family communication in ways few activities can,” says Bruce Matthews, president of the RBFF. “National Fishing & Boating Week gets things headed in the right direction by getting kids interested in fishing and boating early.”
Thousands of local events such as fishing derbies, regattas and festivals will take place in communities across the country, providing numerous opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. The aim is to help kids connect to nature and build a foundation to stay connected into adulthood.
National Fishing and Boating Week events will focus on fishing and boating as a way to re-connect with family and friends while fostering stewardship of our nation's aquatic resources. Activities are planned for families, children and seniors, and include fishing and boating festivals, educational events, boating safety demonstrations and many other hands-on activities for participants of all ages.
To provide families an opportunity to try recreational fishing without
the commitment of purchasing a fishing license, most states now sponsor free
fishing days when no license is required. Many states have scheduled these
days during NFBW, providing an additional incentive for people to get out on
the water.
NFBW is administered by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation in partnership with the National Fishing and Boating Week Steering Committee. The RBFF is a government-funded, nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby increasing public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving, and restoring America’s aquatic natural resources. For more information, visit www.takemefishing.org, or www.rbff.org.
The Economics of Recreational Boating and Fishing
Do you know . . .
 | . . . who funds your state’s fish and wildlife agencies? |
o Most state governments offer little or no financial support to their fish and wildlife agencies. Instead, agencies rely on revenue provided by anglers, hunters and boaters through the purchase of licenses, and special federal excise taxes on equipment paid by manufacturers and motorboat fuel taxes.
o On average, 83 percent of state fish and wildlife agencies’ total freshwater fisheries/aquatic resource management budget is supported by a combination of fishing license sales and Sport Fish Restoration funds which are comprised of a special excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel taxes.
o Sport Fish Restoration funds also support boater education and safety programs around the country.
o Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of anglers and boaters (and even fewer Americans overall) are aware of their vital contributions and how they pay for resource conservation and promoting safe and responsible use of our nation's waters.
| . . . how fishing and boating provide economic support to communities across the country? |
o Recreational boating and fishing provide tremendous economic support to our country. For example:
o There are close to 30,000 businesses that make up the boating industry and provide jobs for 550,000 workers nationwide;
o Recreational fishing has an economic impact of over $116 billion and supported upwards of 1.1 million jobs;
o The travel and tourism sector directly gains $15 billion annually from recreational fishing; and
o Much of this economic impact occurs in the rural and coastal communities where there are fewer employment options.
o More than 50 million recreational anglers and over 72 million recreational boaters make economic contributions like these every year. For more information, visit www.rbff.org
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes
wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of
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