Press Releases

ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 18, 2011) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Anglers’ Legacy™ program continues to have a positive impact on the fishing and boating industry, according to a new survey being released today. The annual survey shows that program participants, known as “Ambassadors,” introduce an average of 64 percent more newcomers to the sport than non-Ambassadors. Ambassadors also spend on average $650 more annually than non-Ambassadors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.

“Anglers’ Legacy continues to prove its value to the industry and the future of the sport,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We are looking at some new ways to engage Ambassadors and reward them for their efforts, which are critical to growing participation in fishing and boating and supporting state conservation efforts.”

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Ambassadors are introducing youth and newcomers to fishing.

• Ambassadors took an average of 3.9 newcomers fishing within the last 12 months; 64 percent more than non-Ambassadors.
• Ambassadors introduce an average of 2.5 youth annually to fishing; non-Ambassadors introduce an average of 1.5 youth annually to fishing.
• Almost all Ambassadors (98 percent) feel that the newcomer(s) they introduced to fishing will continue to fish in the future.

Ambassadors are fishing frequently – many from a boat. 

• More than 60 percent have fished from a boat in the past year.
• More than 60 percent of Ambassadors own a boat or other type of watercraft; 55 percent of non-Ambassadors do not.

Ambassadors generate significant revenue for the industry.

• Ambassadors spend on average $650 more annually than non-Ambassadors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.
• Almost nine-in-10 (88 percent) Ambassadors report purchasing fishing licenses either for themselves or for someone else within the last 12 months.

Anglers’ Legacy, a national mission from the Take Me Fishing™ campaign, asks avid anglers to take a Pledge to introduce at least one newcomer to fishing and boating each year. Currently, there are nearly 300,000 Ambassadors nationwide.

The survey was conducted by the independent research firm EurekaFacts, LLC in August-September 2011 with approximately 1,800 Ambassadors. The non-Ambassador sample was drawn from a national online survey panel and composed of 1,000 avid anglers who are not participants in the Anglers’ Legacy program.

For an executive summary, visit RBFF.org.

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™.