Economic valuation of inland recreational fisheries: empirical studies and their policy use in Norway

Cost-benefit analyses (CBAs) of liming programmes in selected acidified rivers and lakes in southern Norway, showed a benefit-cost ratio (B/C) varying from 1.2 for brown trout, Salmo trutta L., lakes to 4.4. for Atlantic salmon, S. salar L., rivers. Contingent valuation (CV) and travel cost (TC) methods were used to estimate recreational value (use value) and non-use value of increased fish stocks. These local studies, and two national CV surveys, were used by the environmental authorities to document the benefits of liming and other fish stock restoration and preservation programmes. They were also used to calculate social benefits from local reductions in air pollution and international agreements on reduced air emissions of acid compounds. The Norwegian Fishing and Hunting Association (NJFF) also successfully used the results to increase the governmental funds for liming by 300% between 1993 and 1995. The NJFF have since used these results to fight reductions in the liming budget, and has managed to keep it constant at about epsilon 13.5 million annually. However, epsilon 40 million are needed annually to neutralize the current acid depositions in Norway. Two national CV surveys found social benefits of increased fish stocks 2-4 times higher than these costs.