Measuring economic contributions of the marine recreational charter fishing sector using a resampling approach

Policy makers and stakeholders often desire information on the economic impact of fishing, which is frequently measured through its contribution to the economy using regional economic impact models. The variance of fishery-related economic contribution estimates is seldom calculated but can improve the quality of policy information. In this study, we illustrate a resampling-based approach for calculating standard errors of contribution estimates within a social accounting matrix (SAM) model with inputs calculated from survey data with missing data. We estimate the contribution of the saltwater recreational charter fishing industry in Alaska to the economy for 2011-2013 and 2015. Statistical tests are then conducted to assess differences between estimates across the years. Of the years studied, the total output (sales) from the Alaska saltwater charter fishing industry in Alaska was found to be (statistically) largest in 2011 ($248 million in 2013 dollars) and lowest in the next year, 2012 (about $141 million in 2013 dollars). Subsequently, the total output increased in 2013 and then remained at a statistically similar level in 2015.