The Effect of Changes in Trip Costs and Gag Regulations on Recreational Fishing Demand in the Gulf of Mexico North American Journal of Fisheries Management

The Gag Mycteroperca microlepis is one of the most popular reef fish targeted by anglers fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Around 7% of all trips by private boat anglers fishing from the west coast of Florida in 2019 targeted Gag during the open season. We conducted a survey of private boat anglers in Florida and estimated a statistical model to predict changes in the number of fishing trips anticipated with changes in trip costs and Gag bag limits. We found that for the average angler, the economic value of each private boat trip is around US$200 and that a $10 increase in trip costs would decrease private boat fishing trips by 5%. We also found that, on average, private boat anglers targeting Gag would take 12% more trips if the bag limit was increased by one fish from the current bag limit of two fish. The results of our study will help to anticipate the extent to which recreational fishing effort and value could change when trip costs and Gag regulations change.