Poll Finds Anglers Concerned About the Long-Term Health of Fish Populations
A poll commissioned by Pure Fishing about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill shows that the majority of anglers (67%) say that the long-term health of fish populations as the result of the oil spill is a major concern. More than 40% of anglers who planned to fish in the gulf or off the coast of Florida in the next year believe their fishing activity will decrease as the result of the spill.
Thinking about the year ahead, one-third to one-half of anglers predict a decrease in the number of fishing trips for salt water fish due to the oil spill. Anglers, however, believe that freshwater fishing may be an alternative; 26% anticipate an increase in the number of of fishing trips for largemouth bass, while 27% anticipate more trips for other freshwater species.
Anglers are concerned about government restrictions that would ban fishing in the Gulf area; 62% say this is a major concern. Of those who normally keep and eat the fish they catch from the Gulf, 34% expect the amount they keep to decrease, while 22% said the amount they expect to keep and eat will stay the same.