Coarse angler site choice model with perceived site attributes

Abstract

Abstract Choice models are applied to a sample of users of Irish coarse fishing sites. The site choice models are developed using respondent's perception of site attributes and revealed trip frequencies. The random parameter logit is employed to account for unobserved taste heterogeneity. Willingness to pay estimates are constructed for each site attribute and a number of policy changes. The results of the site choice model indicate that accessibility, variety, and the size of fish are significant positive determinants of site selection for the sampled anglers. Local services have a negative impact on site selection, whereas the quantity of fish and the level of encounters with other anglers does not play a significant role. Willingness to pay estimates indicate that the average willingness to pay for an improvement in access to a site is €3.03. However, the policy scenarios suggest that this figure is not evenly distributed for each site. The average sampled angler is estimated to have a willingness to pay of €1.80 for an increase in fish size at Killykeen, and €2.39 for a marginal increase in size at Garadice. Management implication A key aim of the Irish National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is to increase the number of Irish people that regularly participate in angling. A comprehensive understanding of angler preferences may improve management's ability to reach this goal. This paper demonstrates that Irish coarse anglers are heterogeneous in their preferences. Policy should account for this by allowing for sites that vary with respect to important site attributes. The model results advocate that, on average, developing better access to sites that contain large fish away from areas with high levels of amenities would benefit Irish coarse anglers most. However, due care is needed when providing additional access as scenario estimates demonstrate that access is not uniformly appealing and, that, an improvement in access at the most visited sites will not necessarily benefit anglers the most. The results also indicate that stocking sites with large quantities of fish may not affect anglers, at least with respect to site choice.