triumphrick

$8.5 BILLION......according to a recently completed four year study of Florida boating facilities and the economics of boating in this state. About $3.4 billion on boat trips and another $5.1 billion on repairs, marina expenses and other costs not associated with specific boat trips.

That money is spent supporting over 97,000 jobs in the state. About 21.7 million boat trips were taken alone in 2007.

The report, however predicted a 1.8% drop in boating demand and facilities over the next dozen years.

The results of the study show the importance of launch lanes, parking lots & restroom facilities.

The entire report is available at MyFWC.com/about...economic benefits.

In reading all this, I wonder just how much weight is given the recreational boater vs the commercial fishing interests? The new catch share program the Feds want to implement flies in the face of the recreational boating impact in this state....

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Pro251wa

T'rick I read that same report. That we spend more maintaining our boats than going on trips was fairly enlightening itself. I agree with your premise completely. It certainly is in the best interest of the congressional reps to make sure this kind of information gets appropriate consideration.

My boat is slipped. That means I have to have a diver to keep the bottom clean and someone to clean the boat while I'm away. Then there's the fuel dock guys, the marina guys, the guys that catch bait for me to buy, the tackle shop guy, the insurance pimp...I mean...guy, and the guy that steals stuff from my boat when I'm not looking.

That's a lot of employment going on.