Consumption activities and expenditure of anglers targeting endangered fishes in Hokkaido Lakes, Japan

Abstract

Recreational angling under appropriate management can contribute to the conservation of a fish population even for endangered fish, because anglers can enhance the social and economic foundation for the conservation of a fish population via angling tourism. Miyabe charr Salvelinus malma miyabei in Lake Shikaribetsu and Sakhalin taimen Parahucho perryi in Lake Shumarinai are popular targets of recreational fishing, both of which are endangered species due to their limited habitat. In the present study, the consumption activity of anglers was evaluated in each lake as recreational fishery for endangered fish in Hokkaido, Japan, using a questionnaire. The residence of anglers was distributed all over Japan for both lakes. Hokkaido-resident anglers spent 5,000-15,000 yen, and out-of-Hokkaido resident anglers spent 70,000-150,000 yen. The total cost spent by all anglers was estimated to be 33.3 million yen for Lake Shikaribetsu, and 41.6 million yen for Lake Shumarinai. It was assumed that 7.5% of the total cost for Lake Shikaribetsu and 15% of that for Lake Shumarinai were spent on the regional economy near each lake through accommodation and living costs. As a result, it was concluded that recreational fishing enhanced the social and economic value of the endangered fish in each lake.