Home | Media Center | Anglers concerned about the long-term health of fish populations in the Gulf

July 28, 2010

For Immediate Release:  June 10, 2010

Contact: Donna@southwickassociates.com

 

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A recent AnglerSurvey.com poll about the Gulf oil leak crisis showed the majority of anglers put conservation concerns first. More than 67 percent of anglers who participated in the poll said long-term health of fish populations as a result of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico was a major concern. The poll was commissioned by Pure Fishing and conducted May 14-28.

 

Those responding to the AnglerSurvey.com poll also revealed the Gulf crisis will change their angling behavior in many ways. Slightly more than 40 percent of anglers who planned to fish the Gulf, Florida Keys or east coast of Florida in the next 12 months anticipate their fishing activity in those areas will decrease as a result of the leak.

 

When asked if the number of trips they take to fish for certain species will change, a third to nearly half of anglers predicted a decrease in the number of fishing trips for saltwater species because of the Gulf crisis. However, anglers indicated freshwater fishing may be a viable alternative. Approximately 26 percent of respondents anticipated an increase in the number of trips to fish for largemouth bass and 27 percent expected to take more fishing trips for other freshwater species.

 

A concern about government restrictions that would ban fishing also was high on anglers’ minds, with 62 percent rating this as a major concern. Issues related to eating fish were not as highly rated. Of those who keep and eat the fish they catch from the Gulf, 34 percent expect the amount of fish they keep will decrease as a result of the spill while 22 percent said the amount of fish they expect to eat will stay the same.

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in http://www.huntersurvey.com and http://www.anglersurvey.com. By completing the survey, you will be entered in a monthly drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of your choice.

 

 Angler Response to BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Crisis