Perceived Impacts of Fish Consumption Advisories on the Recreational Fishing Boat Industry in New Jersey

Abstract

Captains of New Jersey party and charter fishing boats were interviewed about fish consumption advisories, to address a charge to the New Jersey Mercury Task Force to identify economic impacts of such advisories. Overall, boat captains identified advisories as a moderate influence on their business, less important than market forces and fish management regulations, and those who thought it was a strong factor were not more likely to specialize in species subject to mercury or PCB advisories than were other captains. Boat captains had a mix of correct and incorrect views about fish consumption advisories, which may affect the advisory knowledge of many salt-water recreational anglers. Education directed at party and charter boat captains could be important in educating salt-water anglers about fish consumption advisories.