Recreational value of Ayu fishing at the Okitsu River in Shizuoka Prefecture, evaluated using the travel cost method

Questionnaire surveys of recreational anglers and fishermen fishing for Ayu were conducted around the Okitsu River, Shizuoka Prefecture, from 2010 to 2012, and the recreational value of Ayu fishing was evaluated using the zone travel cost method (ZTCM). The number of recreational anglers and fishermen totaled 65,000-78,000 each year, and approximately 10% of these were recreational anglers from the Kanto area who drove a car using toll roads. The recreational value amounted to 479 million yen and 478 million yen, respectively, and the cost benefit ratio (B/C) was 9.2 and 8.9, respectively, in 2011 and 2012. In addition, the economic effect represented by the fishing charges income benefit ratio (B/I) was 9.2 and 9.1, respectively, in 2011 and 2012. In other words, Ayu fishing results in high recreational value as well as highly efficient stock enhancement.