ANGLING NETS BIG BUCKS
At the handover of the scientific study are Marius Vermaak -President of SSDAA, Hymie Steyn - PRO SADSAA, Dr Colin van Zyl - Environmental & Tourism Specialist and Project Leader Prof Marius Leibold, PhD - Professor in International Business Management
Dave Savides
IN a surprise result for sports-mad South Africans, researchers have determined that angling has a bigger economic impact than rugby and cricket combined.
This unexpected outcome could have a substantial bearing on new momentum urging Government to reconsider the 4X4 beach ban and other coastal legislation.
At the initiative of the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA), an in-depth study of the contribution of recreational angling to the economy of South Africa was conducted by a team of experts of the University of Stellenbosch under the leadership of Prof Marius Leibold, PhD.
Handover
The final document was handed to SADSAA President, Marius Vermaak by Prof Leibold this week at the Stellenbosch Business School in Cape Town.
It revealed that in 2007 approximately 2,5 million anglers spent R18.8-billion on their sport.
More than 2.48 million informal (non club-orientated) anglers contributed R15-billion direct to the economy.
'As a result of increasing pressures on recreational anglers from various sources in South Africa, notably Marine & Coastal Management,) SADSAA decided to facilitate this project at a cost of R508 000 in the interests of its members,' said SADSAA PRO, Hymie Steyn.
'It became essential that a scientific study of this nature be undertaken in order not only to assist the various Government agencies in the law-making process on various levels, but also to underline the value of organised angling to the country - to date either completely ignored, not understood and never thoroughly researched by Government.
'This is the first ever scientific, in-depth research undertaken into recreational angling in South Africa and SADSAA and its members should be complimented,' said Steyn.
'Research has shown that a fish landed by the recreational angler generates up to 70 times more in income than that same fish if caught commercially.
'Most SADSAA tournaments are tag and release.
'In commercial fishing the source is irrevocably destroyed.'
Local reaction
The study results were welcomed by local expert Ivan Hartley, who was President of the Zululand Deep Sea Angling Association at the time the study was commissioned.
'With this scientific information we are armed with data that will enable us to renegotiate with Government from a position of strength.
'And given the steady erosion of our coastline each year - damage is being done that anglers on 4X4s could not do in decades - surely legislation must be adapted taking into account these realities.'
One of the main motivational factors behind the SADSAA research is to make Marine & Coastal Management aware of the value of recreational angling and to ensure a practical decision-making process.
• Sport & Recreational angling is at least 80% bigger than commercial fishing and at least 15 times larger than professional hunting
• Annually, 31 860 anglers participate in Deep Sea angling, being one of the major facets of Sport & Recreation Angling in South Africa, resulting in R6.8-billion in total economic impact in SA in 2007
• The total economic impact of Deep Sea Angling consists of a total of three major parts:
R5.3-billion direct economic impact (direct expenditure effects) on South Africa's economy,
R1,33-billion indirect economic impact (multiplier economic effects) and,
R 556-million induced effects (subsequent income and job effects) on the economy
• Of the 31 860 participants in Deep Sea Angling as a sport and recreational activity, 9 844 are formal participants, while the informal (non-club) sector totals 22 372
• The economic effects of inflows - foreign tourism expenditures on Deep Sea Angling and wider leisure tourism - total R2.5 million per annum
• Economic outflows - payment for imported goods and services for Deep Sea Angling - total R415-million annually
• It is reliably estimated that Deep Sea Angling is at least five times bigger than cricket and rugby combined in SA - including economic inflows from international competitions
• An estimated 18 000 boats participate in Deep Sea Angling in South Africa, with a total value of R3,7-billion
• In/outboard engines totalling 37 000 have a value of R1,88-billion. The total investment including tow vehicles, trailers, etc is R10,2-billion
• Fuel costs account for 29% of the total variable expenditures per annum
• The total economic impact of Sport & Recreational Angling, including Deep Sea angling, is at least 40% larger than that of commercial fishing in South Africa.
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