Salmon Fishing Valuable to Idaho's Economy

Contact: Gayle Valentine Executive Director Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 334-2648 With a limited salmon-fishing season open in Idaho this month, anglers will once again make Idaho cash registers ring to the tune of millions of dollars. The economic power of salmon fishing is the focus of a new study released by the non-profit Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The study, presented to Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners at their meeting in Lewiston last week, is based on a survey by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The survey sampled nearly 4,000 of Idaho's 45,000 fishing permit holders in 2001, with the respondents randomly selected. Economist Dr. Don Reading of Ben Johnson Associates, a respected national economic consulting firm, shows the economic benefits of an activity Idahoans enjoy as a pastime and, in some cases, an obsession. The study shows that the economic impact of the limited 2001 salmon fishing season in Idaho is nearly $90 million. This study also provides specific information on the economic impact in 15 Idaho river communities. These communities, which cover a wide geographic area of northern and central Idaho, are along or near 11 major salmon fishing rivers or river sections. The 2001 salmon season varied in length from two to four months, depending on location. The economic contribution of the 2001 salmon seasons in 15 river communities amounted to about $46 million. In the rest of the state, the impact was about $43 million. In Riggins, salmon fishing is part of the economic lifeblood, stimulating 23 percent of the town's annual sales. Lewiston and Orofino also saw a major impact from direct and indirect angler spending. In Riggins the impact was about $10 million while Lewiston saw $8.8 million and Orofino $8 million. These findings are in keeping with past studies of salmon fishing in 1999 and steelhead fishing in 1997. For business owners like John Weiland of the Riverside Sport Shop in Orofino, the findings are encouraging. "Fishing is a big part of why I bought this store," he said. "It's the bread and butter and I'm banking on fishing in the future." The study indicates his customers are, too. A majority of anglers in the 2001 salmon season were Idaho residents and 73 percent of those surveyed said if salmon fishing were not available here, they would go out of state to fish. The complex debate over salmon recovery includes concern over the cost to industry--usually described as a potential loss. This study points to potential gain--the economic gain of an Idaho with a fully restored salmon season. "The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation contributes this piece of the economic puzzle to help provide decision makers with complete information as they tackle one of the significant issues of this century," Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation Board Member Charles Hervey said. The foundation is not making a recommendation as to the best method of salmon recovery. "However, these results confirm the critical role fishing plays in Idaho's economy," Hervey added. The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1990 to protect and sustain Idaho's fishing, hunting and wildlife heritage. Board members represent each region of the state.