Page 19 - Mid America Boating - September/October 2023 issue

New RBFF report shows

majority of U.S. anglers aware

of fishing & boating connection

to conservation

Three-year report identifies opportunities for improved conservation education 19 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) with family and friends. short video clips.
today announced the results of a study aimed at learning Although conservation may not stand out as a driver “This study shows RBFF’s efforts to improve education
more about the connection consumers are making between of fishing, it consistently stands out as a passion among around the ties between licensing and conservation have been
fishing, boating and conservation. Conducted every three anglers. Ninety-two percent of anglers agree that they want consistent and effective,” said Dave Chanda, President & CEO
years, the study’s findings showcase steady progress in to help protect and preserve waterways and 91-percent care at RBFF. “Education is key to continuing to grow conservation
RBFF’s goal to drive awareness of the conservation efforts about healthy fish populations and public access to fishing awareness. Emphasizing this link will build momentum in the
resulting from fishing and boating participation. RBFF will opportunities. next generation of anglers and boaters since this knowledge
utilize data from the survey to inform actions that continue Ninety percent of anglers like that all their licensing fees go increases the likelihood of participation.”
resonating with consumers. towards conservation. RBFF partnered with Savanta, who conducted the online
Among Active Social Families – a key audience demographic survey of 1,500 anglers in February/March 2023. For complete
Key findings include… targeted by RBFF’s brand Take Me Fishing™- learning about survey results, visit www.takemefishing.org/specialreport
Four in five anglers can cite the benefits of fishing licensing the link between license fees and conservation increased their
fees with wildlife conservation. This level of recall is up from likelihood to fish. RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase
2019, when only two in three were able to do so. Conservation communications should be focused on recreational angling and boating participation, thereby protect-
Anglers’ awareness that funds generated from licensing go online and social media platforms. Online articles represent ing, and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. To
towards conservation is also strong and above levels seen a preferred source of information among most anglers, while help recruit, retain, and reactivate participants, RBFF developed
in 2019. Four in five anglers overall make this connection, social media, including Instagram, is particularly relevant the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ (www.takemefishing.org)
however, less than 30-percent of anglers cite conservation as a among Active Social Families. campaign to build awareness of boating, fishing, and conservation
motivation to go fishing. Enjoyment of the outdoors is still the Types of content (to learn about conservation) that reso- and educate people about the benefits of participation.
top motive for fishing, followed by being able to spend time nate most are online articles, documentaries, pictures and

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