Page 52 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2024

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
The
story and photos by
John N. Felsher
ccording to the National Marine Fisheries Service, anglers fishing in the five Gulf Coast states account for about 40 percent of the recreational finfish landings in the United States.
With Mississippi extending about 340 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee state line,
anglers can fish for a huge variety of saltwater and freshwater species in the Magnolia State. Nearly one million recreational anglers in Mississippi spend almost $600 million a year to enjoy their sport, according to American Sport Fishing Association sources. This contributes to the creation of about 5,000 jobs in the state directly associated with recreational fishing.
Fishing Industries Make uge Economic Impact
HA
“Fund”
Every job creates multiple secondary jobs. For instance,
a fishing guide needs to buy fuel, bait and other supplies before hitting the water. The person selling the fuel,
bait, and supplies must bring it in from somewhere. The suppliers must transport their products in some type of vehicle. That vehicle will need fuel and eventually such things as tires. The person who sells tires needs plumbing work done at home. The plumber must pay the electric bill. The person at the electric company wants to go fishing and hires a fishing guide to take an excursion in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many people come from other states to take advantage of the great fishing opportunities in Mississippi. Along
the Gulf Coast, anglers fish for such popular species as speckled trout, redfish, flounder, red snapper and even some giants like sharks, tuna, and blue marlin. Visiting anglers not hiring a guide must buy non-resident fishing licenses and other items, even if only driving in to fish one
52 | August 2024
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