Evaluation of recreational benefits accruing to steelhead anglers on the Dean River
Date
1980
Authors
Patton, Joan
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Abstract
In order to evaluate the benefits derived from the Salmonid Enhancement Program the non-marketed, intangible components of an angling experience must be determined. These intangible components are in the form of benefits to steelheaders, both before and after steelhead enhancement, and they are calculated by simulating the demand for fishing and by using the concept of consumer 1s surplus. A comparison of techniques commonly used in outdoor recreation studies are evaluated and estimated for British Columbia residents and non-residents using the Dean River steelhead fishery. Methods used to estimate this demand are (1) the travel cost approach and (2) the direct consumer 1 s surplus approach. Although the estimated benefits to steelhead anglers from these methods are not equal, they both show that an increase in economic benefits occurs when the probability of catching a steelhead, on the Dean , is doubled . Gross economic values estimated by the travel cost method yielded the most satisfactory results. Benefits derived by Dean River anglers were estimated to be $456,008 in the 1978/79 fiscal year. If salmonid enhancement doubles the probability of catching a steelhead, then the gross economic value for the Dean River will be approximately $704,170.