10-29-2010, 09:11 PM
ALEXANDRIA, VA - A new survey released by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) reveals that Anglers' Legacyâ„¢ participants, called "Ambas
ors," introduce an average 68 percent more newcomers to the sport than non-Ambasors. Ambasors also spend on average $530 more annually than non-Ambasors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.
New this year, the survey queried current Ambasors about their level of interest in receiving more information about conservation efforts and new products. The survey also explored the extent to which Ambasors' activities and views on aquatic stewardship were affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
"Once again, our Anglers' Legacy Ambasors have proven they are a powerful engine for building the next generation of boating and fishing enthusiasts," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Ambasors acted last year on the timely appeal of fishing as an affordable sport, introduced more people to it, and did their share to contribute to industry sales and conservation."
KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
* Ambasors are introducing youth and newcomers to fishing.
o More than 80 percent of Ambasors took a newcomer fishing within the last 12 months (average 4.2 newcomers each), compared to 59.5 percent of non-Ambasors (average 2.5 newcomers each).<br />
o Ambasors introduced an average of 3.3 youth to fishing; 73 percent more than non-Ambasors.<br />
o Almost all Ambasors (97 percent) feel that the newcomer(s) they introduced to fishing will continue to fish in the future.<br />
* Ambasors are fishing frequently - many from a boat.<br />
o More than 80 percent have fished from a boat in the past year.<br />
o Nearly 60 percent of Ambasors own a boat or other type of watercraft; nearly 60 percent of non-Ambasors do not.<br />
* Ambasors generate significant revenue for the industry.<br />
o Ambasors spend on average $530 more annually than non-Ambasors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.<br />
* Ambasors have a strong interest in receiving more information about conservation efforts and new products.<br />
o More than 60 percent of Ambasors are interested in receiving updates about new products.<br />
o More than 50 percent of Ambasors are interested in updates on new conservation initiatives that impact anglers.<br />
o Two-thirds of both respondent groups feel strongly that the oil spill has affected their feelings about keeping waters safe from environmental damage.
Anglers' Legacy, a national mission from the Take Me Fishingâ„¢ campaign, asks avid boaters and anglers to take a Pledge to introduce at least one new person to the sport each year. Currently, there are more than 230,000 Ambasors nationwide.
The survey was conducted by the independent research firm EurekaFacts, LLC in September 2010 with approximately 5,500 Ambasors. The non-Ambasor sample was drawn from a national online survey panel and composed of 405 avid anglers who are not participants in the Anglers' Legacy program. For an executive summary or more information, visit RBFF.org or call RBFF at (703) 519-0013.
About RBFF<br />
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishingâ„¢ campaign and Anglers' Legacyâ„¢.
ors," introduce an average 68 percent more newcomers to the sport than non-Ambasors. Ambasors also spend on average $530 more annually than non-Ambasors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.New this year, the survey queried current Ambas
ors about their level of interest in receiving more information about conservation efforts and new products. The survey also explored the extent to which Ambasors' activities and views on aquatic stewardship were affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill."Once again, our Anglers' Legacy Ambas
ors have proven they are a powerful engine for building the next generation of boating and fishing enthusiasts," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Ambasors acted last year on the timely appeal of fishing as an affordable sport, introduced more people to it, and did their share to contribute to industry sales and conservation."KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
* Ambas
ors are introducing youth and newcomers to fishing.o More than 80 percent of Ambas
ors took a newcomer fishing within the last 12 months (average 4.2 newcomers each), compared to 59.5 percent of non-Ambasors (average 2.5 newcomers each).<br />o Ambas
ors introduced an average of 3.3 youth to fishing; 73 percent more than non-Ambasors.<br />o Almost all Ambas
ors (97 percent) feel that the newcomer(s) they introduced to fishing will continue to fish in the future.<br />* Ambas
ors are fishing frequently - many from a boat.<br />o More than 80 percent have fished from a boat in the past year.<br />
o Nearly 60 percent of Ambas
ors own a boat or other type of watercraft; nearly 60 percent of non-Ambasors do not.<br />* Ambas
ors generate significant revenue for the industry.<br />o Ambas
ors spend on average $530 more annually than non-Ambasors on boating and fishing related products, travel and services.<br />* Ambas
ors have a strong interest in receiving more information about conservation efforts and new products.<br />o More than 60 percent of Ambas
ors are interested in receiving updates about new products.<br />o More than 50 percent of Ambas
ors are interested in updates on new conservation initiatives that impact anglers.<br />o Two-thirds of both respondent groups feel strongly that the oil spill has affected their feelings about keeping waters safe from environmental damage.
Anglers' Legacy, a national mission from the Take Me Fishingâ„¢ campaign, asks avid boaters and anglers to take a Pledge to introduce at least one new person to the sport each year. Currently, there are more than 230,000 Ambas
ors nationwide. The survey was conducted by the independent research firm EurekaFacts, LLC in September 2010 with approximately 5,500 Ambas
ors. The non-Ambasor sample was drawn from a national online survey panel and composed of 405 avid anglers who are not participants in the Anglers' Legacy program. For an executive summary or more information, visit RBFF.org or call RBFF at (703) 519-0013.About RBFF<br />
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishingâ„¢ campaign and Anglers' Legacyâ„¢.