Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 21, 2009) – According to a new survey being released today by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), participants in the Anglers’ Legacy program introduce more newcomers to the sport and make a significantly larger economic impact on the boating and fishing industry than non-Ambassadors. The third-year survey of Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors received more than 5,500 respondents. A national sample of avid anglers who are not part of the Anglers’ Legacy program (non-Ambassadors) was also surveyed to help gauge the effectiveness of the program.
“We took a new approach this year by surveying a control group to help quantify the impact of the Anglers’ Legacy program,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We found that Ambassadors across the board have a significantly greater impact on participation and introduce more newcomers to the sport than non-Ambassadors. They also report higher fishing and boating related purchases which generates additional revenue for the industry and for local fish and wildlife management efforts.”
KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
- Ambassadors take an active role in the program.
- Nearly 90 percent have taken newcomers fishing in the past year with an average of 3.8 newcomers per Ambassador; 46 percent more than non-Ambassadors.
- Ambassadors take an average of 2.5 youth on introductory trips; 73 percent more than non-Ambassadors.
- More than 70 percent of Ambassadors have recommended that others take the Pledge.
- Ambassadors purchase fishing licenses, contributing to conservation efforts.
- More than 90 percent purchased a fishing license for themselves or someone else within the past year (2.3 on average).
- Non-Ambassadors reported purchasing 2.0 fishing licenses per person.
- Non-Ambassadors reported purchasing 2.0 fishing licenses per person.
- More than 90 percent purchased a fishing license for themselves or someone else within the past year (2.3 on average).
- Ambassadors generate significantly more revenue for the industry.
- Ambassadors purchase $2,155 in boating and fishing related equipment and services annually.
- Non-Ambassadors reported annual expenditures of $1,560.
- When Ambassadors introduce newcomers to the sport, they purchase an additional $168 in fishing tackle and equipment and $166 in boating supplies and accessories annually.
- Ambassadors purchase $2,155 in boating and fishing related equipment and services annually.
- Ambassadors are fishing frequently – many from a boat.
- More than 90 percent have fished from a boat in the past year.
- Eighty-two percent of non-Ambassadors went fishing from a boat in the past year.
- Eighty-two percent of non-Ambassadors went fishing from a boat in the past year.
- More than 90 percent have fished from a boat in the past year.
- Nearly two-thirds of Ambassadors (60 percent) own a boat.
- Boat ownership is 37 percent higher among Ambassadors than non-Ambassadors.
Anglers’ Legacy is an RBFF program that rallies the country’s most avid anglers to take a Pledge to introduce newcomers to the sport. More than 185,000 Ambassadors have signed on to the program since its inception in May 2006.
The online survey was conducted by independent research firm EurekaFacts, LLC in September 2009 with 5,940 respondents. For an executive summary or more information, visit RBFF.org or call RBFF at (703) 519-0013.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.
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