Charter Boat Research Articles

Resident marine sportfishing effort in the United States varied non-monotonically with COVID policy stringency

Governments responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with different policies to curtail the spread of the virus. We show how sportfishing levels are related to the stringency of Covid-19 policies. Specifically, we relate the total number of resident sportfishing trips taken each month in each of 16 U.S. states to a state-level index of COVID policy stringency. We model the number of recreational fishing trips taken in each state-month using a fixed effect Poisson regression model with state-specific seasonality and time trends. We estimate separate models for different fishing modes, and find that for fishing trips taken on private boats the number of trips may have increased by approximately 20% at moderate levels of stringency, while at high levels of stringency like those experienced in many states in March and April of 2020, trips may have stayed constant or declined by 10–20%. Similar inverse-U shaped relationships between trips and stringency are found for fishing trips from the shore and from charter boats.

Multi-Use as the Next Iteration of Ecosystem-Based Management Planning and Implementation

In the not-so-distant future, it may be entirely possible for an aquaculture farmer to harvest robust crops of seaweeds and shellfish safely within the leased area of an offshore wind farm. Likewise, a charter boat captain may tap into turbine sensors for weather and traffic data needed to navigate a boatload of recreational anglers to productive fishing grounds. Or, perhaps, commercial fishermen deploy innovative gear types on modified vessels to safely and lucratively fish within wind farms.

Bioeconomics of Florida Recreational Fisheries to Estimate Willingness to Pay for Bag and Size Limits of Spotted Seatrout

This research focuses on the economic component of a bioeconomic model for spotted seatrout in the recreational fisheries on Florida’s west coast. A survey was designed to assess how anglers, who caught or targeted spotted seatrout on Florida’s west coast, valued combined changes in the existing bag limit and size limit. The biological component of the stated preference model deemed such change necessary to ensure a sustainable stock. The biological model provides an economic constraint and results in the treatment of the bag and size limits as a composite good in which separate utilities cannot be measured for each component of the composite good. The stated preference choice method (SPCM) was used to estimate the change in economic value by boat mode of access (e.g., charter boat and private boat). The models also controlled for length of trip (full day versus half-day) for charter boat trips and for type of day (weekend or weekday) for both boat modes of access. Since those who accessed the fishery by private boat had a lower probability of achieving the bag limit/size limit, a model was run to predict the probability of achieving the bag limit/size limit and the probability was interacted with the bag limit/size limit choice. This yielded a positive willingness to pay for the bag limit/size limit combination that was sustainable. Estimated values per person per day for changing the bag limit/size limits to a sustainable level were USD 20.24 for the charter boat mode and USD 32.54 for the private boat mode. Aggregating this to a total value change using a five-year annual average (2012–2016) of total days of fishing for spotted seatrout on Florida’s West Coast yielded an estimate of USD 147.9 million per year for charter boat anglers. The total annual value was about USD 3.4 million, while for private boat anglers the annual value was about USD 144.5 million.

Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Reviewed by: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Hargrave, Kiran Millwood Julia and the Shark; illus. by Tom de Freston. Union Square, 2023 [224p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781454948681 $18.99 Paper ed. ISBN 9781454948698 $9.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781454948704 $8.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 Of all places, Julia’s dad’s programming job has brought the ten-year-old girl and her parents to a remote, failing little lighthouse in Shetland so he can reprogram the light. The seaside setting is also a perfect place for her marine biologist mother to look for the elusive Greenland shark, so while Dad is preoccupied with a stubbornly malfunctioning light and Mum is off on a charter boat each day, Julia is pretty much left to her own devices. The summer of family togetherness has turned into a solitary retreat as her mother pulls away, her father grows frustrated, and they both start fighting more often than not. With her loneliness only increasing, Julia comes to believe if she can just help her mom find the shark, her family will be whole again. The narrative tone and the gorgeous artwork of this UK import come together to present an authentic, compassionate look at a girl flailing in rocky familial waters; Julia is old enough to recognize the storm for what is but not experienced enough to steer herself and her family toward calmer seas. The dreamy illustrations underscore the emotions with deft subtlety; dappled shades of yellow and black background the text, eventually shaping into Julia, the shark, and the rough waves she must travel. The depictions of her mother’s struggles with mental health are realistic but tender, placing that condition within the wonderful, caring wholeness that is Mum. Honest but still hopeful, this makes a strong readalike for Allen’s The Line Tender (BCCB 4/19) or Kelly’s Song for a Whale (BCCB 2/19). Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Economic contribution and social welfare of recreational charter boat fisheries in the northeast Atlantic: The cases of Galicia (Spain) and Madeira archipelago (Portugal)

Recreational charter boat fisheries provide alternative economic development to traditional commercial fisheries, especially to coastal communities in warm seas. Charter boat fishing has been little studied in temperate regions, and the factors that trigger its development and social contribution to fishing communities are unknown. We performed an economic analysis of recreational charter boat fisheries in the Eastern North Atlantic to assess their contribution to social welfare. We selected two case studies located in Galicia (NW Spain) and Madeira archipelago (Portugal). The two cases differ in the socioecological attributes in which recreational charter boat fishing is developed (e.g., relevance of commercial fishing, tourism, or targeted species), that were included in the assessment. Up to 7 charter fishing companies were identified in Galicia (10 boats) and 14 in Madeira (18 boats), and information on the costs and benefits of the activity were collected by a questionnaire answered by company managers and skippers. Charter boats in Galicia are operating throughout the year, and anglers mostly engage in bottom fishing targeting demersal predators like ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) that they retain. Despite the strong seasonality of the fishery in Madeira, focused on summers, the fishing effort is higher than in Galicia. On average, charter boats go fishing for 39.3 ± 41.5 (SD) fishing journeys and take 2 500 anglers on board per year in Galicia, while in Madeira they fish 63.7 ± 32.7 journeys and take 3 200 anglers on board. Anglers target in Madeira pelagic top predators like blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), or some tuna species, e.g., bigeye (Thunnus obesus), by trolling in a catch and release fishery. The economic balance of companies was more favorable in Madeira, with an average gross annual profit of € 28 883 ± 30 755, while economic yield in Galicia was € 4 444 ± 7 916. We also applied a travel cost method to assess the recreation demand of recreational fishing trips based on a questionnaire answered by 150 clients in Galicia and 55 in Madeira. We estimated the visitor surplus mean value to be € 1 385 per year in Galicia (95% confidence interval, CI95%= € 1 219 – € 1 550), and € 1 738 in Madeira (CI95%= € 1 433 – 2 043). The social annual recreation value of Galician fishery was worth € 3.4 Million, ranging between € 3.0 M and € 3.8 M, a value well below the annual economic impact generated by commercial fishing (€ 700 M). The recreation value of the charter boat fishery in Madeira, € 6.3 M, ranging between € 5.2 M and € 7.5 M, is comparable to the annual economic impact of commercial fishing, that contributes to the local economy with € 12 M.

The distribution, ecology and predicted habitat use of the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) in coastal waters of Wales and the central Irish Sea.

The angelshark (Squatina squatina) has the northernmost range of any angel shark species, but there is limited information on its distribution, habitat use and ecology at higher latitudes. To address this, Angel Shark Project: Wales gathered 2231 S. squatina records and 142 anecdotal resources from fishers, coastal communities and archives. These spanned the coastal waters of Wales and the central Irish Sea and were dated from 1812 to 2020, with 97.62% of records within 11.1 km (6 nm) of the coast. Commercial, recreational and charter boat fishers provided the majority of S. squatina records (97.18%), with significantly more sightings from three decades (1970s, 1980s and 1990s) and in the months of September, June, August and July (in descending order). The coastal area between Bardsey Island and Strumble Head had the most S. squatina records (n = 1279), with notable concentrations also found in Carmarthen Bay, Conwy Bay and the Outer Severn Estuary. Species distribution models (SDM) identified four environmental variables that had significant influence on S. squatina distribution, depth, chlorophyll‐a concentration, sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity, and these varied between the quarters (Q) of the year. SDM model outputs predicted a larger congruous area of suitable habitat in Q3 (3176 km2) compared to Q2 (2051 km2), with suitability along the three glacial moraines (Sarn Badrig, Sarn‐y‐Bwch and Sarn Cynfelyn) strongly presented. Comparison of modelled environmental variables at the location of S. squatina records for each Q identified reductions in depth and salinity, and increases in chlorophyll‐a and SST when comparing Q2 or Q3 with Q1 or Q4. This shift may suggest S. squatina are making seasonal movements to shallow coastal waters in Q2 and Q3. This is supported by 23 anecdotal resources and may be driven by reproductive behaviour, as there were 85 records of S. squatina individuals ≤60 cm in the dataset, inferred as recently born or juvenile life‐history stages. The results have helped fill significant evidence gaps identified in the Wales Angelshark Action Plan and immediate next research steps are suggested.

Lower possession limits and shorter seasons directly reduce for-hire fishing effort in a multispecies marine recreational fishery

Managers of recreational fisheries often rely on implicit and rarely tested assumptions regarding how fishing effort will change in response to regulations. For instance, they assume that reduced seasons will directly reduce fishing effort without producing angler behavioral adaptations to maintain fishing opportunities and harvest. Vessel trip reports from a multispecies for-hire fishery in New Jersey, USA, allowed us to empirically evaluate changes in fishing effort as overlapping seasons for four species became shorter and as possession limits decreased. We conducted focus groups with fishery stakeholders and then developed statistical models to evaluate hypotheses describing how anglers aboard for-hire vessels adapted to regulations. Fishing effort aboard charter boats remained consistent and primarily responded to the availability of “something” to harvest, suggesting that their customers are willing to substitute target species. Party boat anglers, in contrast, responded to the possession limits of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus). Because party anglers were less willing to substitute target species, party vessel operators are likely particularly vulnerable to reductions in fishing opportunity and harvest potential.

Preliminary assessment of the impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in the small-scale and recreational fisheries of the Canary Islands

Covid-19 pandemic has affected worldwide in many different ways. Fisheries around the world are not an exception due to the long-term isolation and the non-activities period suffered. To do an evaluation of its impact on the fishing sectors in the Canary Islands, 87 online and phone questionnaires were carried out between July and September 2020, conducting the interviews to artisanal fishermen, fishmongers, recreational charter boats fishermen and tackle shops along the archipelago. Both, the artisanal and recreational fishing sectors have been affected by this pandemic, but in an unequal manner. The drop of the demand of fresh fishing products in the islands markets due to the closure of hotels, restaurants and other services, and the highly significant decreasing in the number of tourists, provoked an estimated income loss for the artisanal fishermen about the 40% on average, but the majority of vessels continued their activities during the pandemic, with very limited effects on direct employment. However, the fishmonger’s activity apparently was not affected and increased their monthly income in relation to the previous year. Likewise, the infeasibility of fishing charter companies due to the great reduction in the number of tourists contrasted with the significant increase in the number of recreational fishing licenses immediately after the confinement ended. Even though that fishing tackle shops increased sales by over 60% in relation to the similar period of the year before, only 4.4% of these shops declared not to have had economic losses.

Comparing on-site and off-site survey data to investigate survey biases in recreational fisheries data

Abstract Recreational fishing is increasingly included in fish stock assessments globally. Nonetheless, the extent and precision of recreational fisheries data are often limited. Common methods to collect those data are on-site and off-site surveys, both of which are prone to specific biases, whose magnitude is widely unknown. The present study compares data from an on-site access point intercept and a simultaneously conducted off-site diary survey, separately targeting charter boat, boat, and shore anglers in the German Baltic Sea recreational cod fishery to identify specific biases in the data sets. The analyses revealed indications of avidity and recall bias that might influence catch and release estimates. Catch rates and release rates differed substantially between the angling platforms. The catch and release rates of diarists and on-site anglers were in a similar range for every platform, and reasonably precise with standard errors between 0.1 and 0.4 fish per angler and day. Recreational fishing monitoring approaches should include complementary on-site surveys from time to time to control for biases whereby the angling platform should be taken into account. The low explanatory power of commonly collected socio-demographic variables indicated that variables capturing the heterogeneity of angler behaviour should additionally be included in future surveys.

The economic contribution of sea angling from charter boats: A case study from the south coast of England

Marine Recreational Fisheries (MRF) provide important socio-economic contributions to coastal communities in the UK. Quantifying the contribution to coastal economies enables policy makers to plan for the sustainable development of these activities and consider trade-offs resulting from the implementation of regulations. Highlighting the importance of MRF enables their integration into fisheries management plans, tourism, and coastal infrastructure strategies, yet these effects are rarely quantified. In this study, the economic contribution of charter boat sea angling on coastal communities was assessed for four ports in Dorset on the South coast of England (Poole, Swanage, Weymouth and Portland). Poole and Weymouth have the largest charter fleets in the UK. Valuations from Poole and Swanage, as well as Weymouth and Portland were used alongside the numbers of boats in the fleet to estimate a cumulative economic impact to Dorset from charter boat activity of £2.4 million in gross output and providing about £3.6 million in estimated economic contribution and over £1.3 million of Gross Value Added (GVA). Future fisheries management should consider impacts and benefits when developing strategies for MRF, potentially distinguishing between different parts of the sector. This is particularly important for the charter fleet, as they are small businesses that rely on the value they generate to operate as businesses rather than being a pure recreational activity.

Charter fishing in the Aegean Sea (Turkey), Eastern Mediterranean: The missing point of fisheries management

This study attempts to improve the scientific knowledge of charter fishing on the Aegean coast of Turkey, where fishing activity and ecological indicators were investigated. Fishing and socio-economic data from both charter boat owners and charter fishers were collected using on-site questionnaires, and seasonal on-board surveys during 2017. No differences were observed between CPUE estimates from the questionnaire and the on-board surveys. The highest and lowest fishing activity were found in autumn and summer respectively. Charter owners reported conflicts with both private boat owners as well as commercial fishers. The annual activity was estimated to be 9246 charter trips hosting 138,690 charter fishers, who caught 277−305 tonnes. The total annual fisher and boat owner expenditure was estimated at €3.5 million and €0.6 million respectively. A total of 38 species were identified; most of the catch was represented by sparids, of which there were several species, such as Diplodus vulgaris, Sparus aurata, and Pagellus erythrinus, all of which were highly undersized. The results highlighted that the fishers and boat owners had limited knowledge of fishing policies. We conclude that managers should pay more attention to this activity and revise the existing regulations of charter fishing to improve fisheries management.

A massive update of non-indigenous species records in Mediterranean marinas.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to over 2/3 of the world’s charter boat traffic and hosts an estimated 1.5 million recreational boats. Studies elsewhere have demonstrated marinas as important hubs for the stepping-stone transfer of non-indigenous species (NIS), but these unique anthropogenic, and typically artificial habitats have largely gone overlooked in the Mediterranean as sources of NIS hot-spots. From April 2015 to November 2016, 34 marinas were sampled across the following Mediterranean countries: Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to investigate the NIS presence and richness in the specialized hard substrate material of these marina habitats. All macroinvertebrate taxa were collected and identified. Additionally, fouling samples were collected from approximately 600 boat-hulls from 25 of these marinas to determine if boats host diverse NIS not present in the marina. Here, we present data revealing that Mediterranean marinas indeed act as major hubs for the transfer of marine NIS, and we also provide evidence that recreational boats act as effective vectors of spread. From this wide-ranging geographical study, we report here numerous new NIS records at the basin, subregional, country and locality level. At the basin level, we report three NIS new to the Mediterranean Sea (Achelia sawayai sensu lato, Aorides longimerus, Cymodoce aff. fuscina), and the re-appearance of two NIS previously known but currently considered extinct in the Mediterranean (Bemlos leptocheirus, Saccostrea glomerata). We also compellingly update the distributions of many NIS in the Mediterranean Sea showing some recent spreading; we provide details for 11 new subregional records for NIS (Watersipora arcuata, Hydroides brachyacantha sensu lato and Saccostrea glomerata now present in the Western Mediterranean; Symplegma brakenhielmi, Stenothoe georgiana, Spirobranchus tertaceros sensu lato, Dendostrea folium sensu lato and Parasmittina egyptiaca now present in the Central Mediterranean, and W. arcuata, Bemlos leptocheirus and Dyspanopeus sayi in the Eastern Mediterranean). We also report 51 new NIS country records from recreational marinas: 12 for Malta, 10 for Cyprus, nine for Greece, six for Spain and France, five for Turkey and three for Italy, representing 32 species. Finally, we report 20 new NIS records (representing 17 species) found on recreational boat-hulls (mobile habitats), not yet found in the same marina, or in most cases, even the country. For each new NIS record, their native origin and global and Mediterranean distributions are provided, along with details of the new record. Additionally, taxonomic characters used for identification and photos of the specimens are also provided. These new NIS records should now be added to the relevant NIS databases compiled by several entities. Records of uncertain identity are also discussed, to assess the probability of valid non-indigenous status.

The worth of giants: The consumptive and non‐consumptive use value of the giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas)

Abstract Although the economic value of wildlife historically has been attributed to its consumptive use, the global growth of ecotourism has expanded wildlife valuation to include non‐consumptive uses. In California, the critically endangered giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas) is paradoxically both a flagship species in the recreational dive industry and regularly sold in California's commercial fisheries when incidentally caught. The differences in the economic value of S. gigas to these two key stakeholders – commercial fishers and recreational scuba divers – were explored. The average annual landing value of S. gigas was US$12 600, this value was determined using California commercial fishery landing receipt data. In contrast the estimated average value of S. gigas to recreational divers was US$2.3 million per year. The non‐consumptive use value was calculated by approximating the annual number of recreational charter boat divers and determining divers' willingness‐to‐pay for a S. gigas sighting. Stated landings volumes of S. gigas appear to represent a minimum annual extraction of 2% to 19% of the S. gigas population. Using self‐reported fishery catch location data, S. gigas bycatch hotspots were identified and used to inform suggestions for strategic spatial and temporal closures. Overall, these results highlight the value of giant sea bass beyond fisheries and underscore the importance of incorporating non‐consumptive values when developing harvest policies and marine management plans.

Introduction to the Special Section on Recreation Surveys

Surveys to estimate characteristics associated with recreational activities in the United States are local, state-based, or national. While surveys of recreational fishing are well established, surveys to make estimates for populations such as visitors to recreation sites in the US National Forests or hikers on well-established trails are becoming more common. As described by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, creel or angler surveys are commonly conducted by state-based agencies to measure fish, determine the number of hours fished, and count boats, fish houses, recreational craft, etc. Nationally, the Marine Recreational Information Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is intended to “provide timely, scientifically sound estimates of recreational catch and effort that fishery managers, stock assessors, and marine scientists need to ensure the sustainability of ocean resources.” This is done by using a “suite of different surveys to capture recreational catch and effort from people who fish from the shore, private boat, for hire boats (including charter boats), headboats or party boats, and guide boats” (www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/recreational-fisheries/index).

Contested surf tourism resources in the Maldives

We analyse contests for control of a newly valuable tourism resource, namely surf breaks in the Maldives. Conflicts are shaped by: the resource, economics, culture, legislation, and politics. There are seven stakeholder groups: island resorts, resort-based surfing tourists, live-aboard charter boats, boat-based surfing tourists, local surf-related enterprises, independent travelling surfers using those enterprises, and local resident surfers. We identify a transition from exogenously to endogenously-controlled political processes and power. These are driven by tourism growth, and accelerated by specific trigger events related to political change, land tenure, and development projects. Tourism destinations have seldom been studied in the context of control over natural resources. The transition model constructed here applies across destinations, adventure activities, tourism subsectors, and other industries.

Boat Captain Perspectives on adding non-consumptive value to charter experiences on the South Carolina coast

Profitability and competitiveness of the saltwater charter fishing industry is becoming more challenging in coastal communities. Adding value with non-consumptive experiences and targeting a broader range of marine tourists may enhance industry sustainability as well as broaden opportunities for public access to marine waters. This study explored industry beliefs about capabilities for implementing new or enhanced services as a means to understand capacity for adding non-consumptive value. Semi-structured interviews and a written self-assessment survey were administered to 43 charter operators licensed in coastal South Carolina, USA during the summer of 2012. Operators gave high ratings to their knowledge relevant to providing outreach on expanded topics, but were less confident about their marketing, networking (within the industry and with the tourism industry), and customer service skills. Consumer demand information was also desired. Management implicationsFor marine resource managers, this research identifies the information most needed for captains to add non-consumptive value. This research also highlights the importance of marine resource managers about understanding the perception of issues for charter boat captains, specifically from a regulatory standpoint. For charter boat captains, this research suggests that most captains would support collaboration between other charter boat captains, local communities, and tourism promotion organizations. However, captains are not well equipped to establish these relationships. Finally, the identification of potential value-added services may be helpful in developing and diversifying the charter boat industry.

Spatial shifts in salmonine harvest, harvest rate, and effort by charter boat anglers in Lake Michigan, 1992–2012

Abstract Stocked and naturally reproducing salmonids in Lake Michigan support an economically important charter boat fishery which operates from multiple locations around the lake. Charter boat operators depend on the sustainability and spatial availability of salmonid species. We analyzed the spatial distributions of charter boat harvest of brown trout, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout from 1992 to 2012. We found that during this 21 year period fishing effort shifted closer to shore, to the west, and to the north. Harvest of some species, namely lake trout and rainbow trout, shifted towards shallower bottom depths and closer to shore. In contrast, harvests of Chinook and coho salmon have not shifted closer to shore in a consistent manner. We suggest that a variety of factors may have contributed to these trends in harvest patterns, including recent ecosystem shifts in Lake Michigan. While we acknowledge that spatial harvest patterns are unlikely to precisely mirror salmonid distribution patterns, we believe that reporting coarse shifts in harvest has implications for future management options including, but not limited to, stocking decisions and harvest regulations.

Consequences of catch-and-release angling for black bream Spondyliosoma cantharus, during the parental care period: implications for management

Black sea bream Spondyliosoma cantharus is highly valued for its sporting and eating qualities. Due to its inshore spawning aggregations and male nest guarding behaviors, it is considered vulnerable to over-exploitation via recreational angling. Accordingly, greater uptake of the practice of catch-and-release (C&R) may provide some potential to limit the effects of angling on populations. Thus, the consequences of C&R for 40 S. cantharus (mean length 306 ± 10 mm) were assessed. Fish were sampled following their capture from charter boats by recreational anglers with varying levels of skill and experience. Of these fish, 17% were deeply hooked (e.g. in esophagus) and considered at high risk of post-release mortality (PRM). Blood lactate levels ranged between 0.40 and 2.60 mmol l − 1 (mean ± SE: 1.25 ± 0.09) and were significantly and positively correlated with fight time. Reflex impairments were observed in 32% of the catch, also suggesting an elevated probability of PRM. Hook damage was the only significant predictor of reflex impairment. The dominance of males (89%) across the catches highlighted the potential for additional indirect impacts of angling via the predation of eggs by conspecifics in the vacated nests of captured males. These results are discussed within the context of post-release performance of individual S. cantharus, the potential for C&R to limit impact at the population level and a need to consider future regulation of the fishery to ensure sustainability of stocks.

Association of Fish Consumption and Persistent Organic Pollutant with Cause-specific Mortality---Results from the Great Lakes Fish Consumption Study cohort

INTRODUCTION Fish is a good source of nutrients, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, there is growing concern over the potentially harmful effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are present in some fish species. Our study objectives are to examine the beneficial effect of fish consumption and the adverse effects of POPs on cause-specific mortality in the Great Lakes Fish Consumption Study (GLFCS) cohort. METHODS Regular consumers of GL sport fish, referred to as captains, were recruited in 1993 from GL charter boat captains and their spouses. Referents were recruited from the same communities as the captains but they consumed no GL sport fish and no more than 6 sport fish meals in any of the previous 10 years. Fish consumption and demographic characteristics were assessed from recruitment interviews. Blood concentration of DDE, PCBs and PBDEs were measured at baseline, and at two follow-ups in a subgroup. Cause of death was ascertained through the National Death Index (NDI). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate risk of death in relation to fish consumption and POPs. RESULTS A total of 3,892 subjects were followed from 1994 through 2011 and contributed 62,794 person-years. 492 subjects were ascertained as deceased by NDI, among which, 44 diabetes deaths and 243 cardiovascular deaths were recorded. Fish consumption of more than one meal a week was associated with significantly decreased diabetes mortality compared with fish consumption of less than one meal a month. DDE and PCBs were associated with increased diabetes mortality when adjusted for age, gender, BMI, income and fish consumption. DDE, PCBs and PBDEs were also found to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality after adjusting for covariates including fish consumption. CONCLUSION Our study found a protective effect of all fish consumption on diabetes mortality and an adverse effect of POPs on diabetes and cardiovascular mortality.

Angler and non-angler preferences for non-consumptive value-added products and services associated with charter boat trips

This study used choice modeling to assess demand by saltwater anglers and non-anglers, visiting the South Carolina coast, for value-added experiences and services associated with charter boat trips. Diverse non-fishing trip attributes including onboard amenities, onshore activities, quality of captain and crew, onboard nature-based tourism, onboard culture-based tourism and interpretation and education services were tested. Sampling of saltwater, recreational fishing, license owners and coastal tourists in 2013 produced 544 surveys (anglers = 277, non-anglers = 267). Study results showed that both groups placed importance on Quality of Captain and Crew, Onboard Amenities and Boat Fee. Only non-anglers placed importance on Onboard Nature-based Tourism. The marginal willingness to pay of Quality of Captain and Crew (high level) was $115 for anglers and $69 for non-anglers and of Onboard Amenities (high level) was $41 for anglers and $63 for non-anglers.