Scottish Government

SECTION 6 THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SEA ANGLING

6.0 Introduction

This section is largely based on the information generated by the omnibus and internet surveys. It looks at, inter alia, the numbers of anglers in each of the regions and Scotland as a whole, where they come from and what they do. It estimates the number of sea angler days activity undertaken, where it is undertaken and what they fish for. Finally, it looks at the contribution sea angling makes to the regional and national economy and the economic impact of a complete collapse in sea angling.

6.1 Dumfries and Galloway

6.1.0 Introduction

The region of Dumfries and Galloway defined for this project is the Local Authority Area of the same name. Most of the coastline forms the north edge of the Solway Firth and there are large areas of sandy shallows. Even at the western end there are still large sand areas such as that at Luce Bay and in Wigtown Bay between headlands such as The Rhinns of Galloway and Burrow Head, on the Isle of Whithorn. The west end of the region faces the North Channel and is far more rugged.

From the southern shore the land rises gently to the Galloway Hills to the West and the Southern Uplands to the East. A series of excellent fishing rivers (Annan, Nith, Ken, Fleet, Trool and Luce) run across the area. Most of the major towns Dumfries, Kirkudbright, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart lie at the head of an estuary or at the lowest crossing point on a river. Stranraer on the west coast at the head of Loch Ryan developed as the major ferry point for Northern Ireland. By area (6,426 km sq) it is the third largest local authority, but only twelfth by population (148,300).

Because of the population distribution and the excellent freshwater angling, local participation in sea angling is lower than might be expected from a rural area at 2.2% (compared to the national average of 1.7%). However the region is close to both the central belt and the industrial regions of Northern England and with its extensive coastline there is a substantial inflow into the region.

Fig 6.1.1 Map of Dumfries and Galloway Sea Region

6.1.1 Locations

Table 6.1.1 shows the areas used by responding anglers and their relative popularity. Whilst Luce Bay is famous as a sea angling "hot-spot", the popularity of the west side of the Rhinns is slightly unexpected. The "write-in" locations are indicated in italics. Within the questionnaire Girvan was located in Glasgow and West but was still thought by some to be in Dumfries and Galloway.

Table 6.1.1 Popularity of Areas for Shore Fishing

Table 6.1.2 shows the popularity of launch sites. Again the italicised figures relate to write-in, which will inevitably understate the true popularity of the site. The dominance of the Rhinns (Drumore, PortPatrick and Port Logan) is notable.

Table 6.1.2 Popularity of launch sites in Dumfries and Galloway

6.1.2 Sea Anglers and Angling Activity

Table 6.1.3 summarises the angler days by residents of Dumfries and Galloway and Table 6.1.4 angler days in Dumfries and Galloway by type of angling.

Table 6.1.3 Angler Days by Dumfries and Galloway Residents

Table 6.1.4 Angler Days in Dumfries and Galloway by origin and type

Figs 6.1.2 & 6.1.3 illustrate the activity by type and by origin of anglers

Fig 6.1.2 Angler Days in Dumfries and Galloway by Type of Sea Angling

Fig 6.1.3 Angler Days in Dumfries and Galloway by Origin of Anglers

The importance of visitors from south of the Border is particularly noticeable. Only 6% of the angler days are by Dumfries and Galloway locals.

6.1.3 Target Species

Fig 6.1.4 shows the species fished for in Dumfries and Galloway.

Fig 6.1.4 What anglers fished for in Dumfries and Galloway

Mackerel and pollock are the most important species but the popularity of sea angling in the region is illustrated by the range of other species as regular targets, notably bass and tope. Flatfish are particularly popular targets in the upper Solway. The species identified by sea anglers not provided in the survey checklist is given in Table 6.1.5

Table 6.1.5 Extra Species Specified by Anglers

Wrasse is featured in all regions and appears to be an important species throughout Scotland. Smoothhound, although popular south of the Border make its only appearance as a species in this region. However where anglers write in there may well be a problem of terminology; elsewhere it may simply be classified as a Dogfish.

6.1.4 Expenditure

Tables produced for this project provide estimates of expenditure by type, by origin and by category. Table 6.1.6 shows total expenditure by major category.

Table 6.1.6: Expenditure in D&G by Category

Fig 6.1.5 show the breakdown of that expenditure by origin of anglers.

Fig 6.1.5 Expenditure in Dumfries and Galloway by Origin of Anglers

As might be expected the expenditure of visiting sea anglers is even more important as accommodation enters the calculus.

Fig 6.1.6 shows the relative importance by type of angling. The importance of the privately owned boat is clearly shown in this chart.

Fig 6.1.6 Expenditure in Dumfries and Galloway by Origin of Anglers

The importance of charter and shore fishing in expenditure terms, compared to activity, reflects the importance of RUK visitors in expenditure terms. They are less likely to trail boats and consequently more likely to charter or fish from the shore.

6.1.5 Economic Contribution

Table 6.1.7 shows the contribution to the local economy from the three types of anglers.

Table 6.1.7 The Economic Contribution of Sea Angling to Dumfries and Galloway

6.1.6 Economic Impact

Table 6.1.8 shows the responses to questions from the 275 anglers who visited Dumfries and Galloway about likely action if there was no sea angling in a region and the percentage of the current expenditure that would leave the region as a result.

Table 6.1.8 Responses of Dumfries and Galloway Anglers to Closure

Table 6.1.9 summarizes the impact on jobs and incomes of a loss of sea angling in the region.

Table 6.1.9 The Economic Impact of Sea Angling in Dumfries and Galloway

In summary, if Sea Angling disappeared from Dumfries and Galloway we believe at least 460 jobs would be lost, with an associated loss of income of £6.7m.

6.1.7 Key Ratios

Table 6.1.10 gives the key ratios discussed in Section 2.4

Table 6.1.10 Key Ratios for Dumfries and Galloway

These are much as expected with the RUK visitor making a far greater contribution to the economy than the local angler.