A Comparison of Revealed, Stated, and Actual Behavior in Response to a Change in Fishing Quality

Abstract

Due to water quality problems at its fish culture stations, Pennsylvania stocked 28% fewer catchable trout in 2002 than it had in prior years. The impact of this stocking decrease on license and trout stamp sales was projected based both on an econometric analysis of historical license sales (revealed behavior) and on a telephone survey of trout anglers (stated behavior). The econometric analysis showed no relationship between stocking levels and angler participation. However, in the telephone survey, 11.5% of current trout anglers stated that the cut in stocking would lead them to stop fishing for trout, including 3.2% who would stop fishing altogether. The projections based on stated behavior did a better job predicting resident license sales than did the projection based on revealed behavior, but anglers overstated their tendency to stop buying trout stamps. This research was financially supported by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The authors are grateful to Yanguo Wang for econometric assistance. The authors alone are responsible for all statements and errors.