Perceived Impacts of Fish Consumption Advisories on the Recreational Fishing Boat Industry in New Jersey: Research Project Summary

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.