News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Yancey Roy, 518-402-8000

DEC Seeks to Recruit “Lapsed” Anglers to Increase Fishing License Sales

Direct Mail Aims to Increase Fishing Participation and License Sales

ALBANY, NY (05/01/2008; 0947)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that New York State will join 30 states cooperating in a new effort to encourage lapsed anglers to buy a fishing license. Anglers who have not recently bought licenses will be sent targeted mailings reminding them to purchase a license and support fisheries management.

“The fishing in New York State is better than ever, but participation in the sport of fishing continues to decline both nationally and in New York,” said Commissioner Grannis. “DEC is pleased to participate in this program, especially since it complements our I FISH NY efforts to increase angling participation in New York State.”

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that the number of anglers fishing the freshwaters of New York State, not including the Great Lakes, declined 12 percent since 2001. The decline in resident angling in New York’s Great Lakes was even greater -- dropping 41 percent since 2001.

The multi-state lapsed angler effort is being coordinated by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF). Lapsed anglers are those that have purchased a license in previous years, but do not currently hold one. Studies have determined that just 15 percent of anglers renew their licenses every year for a five-year period. Also, just 44 percent purchased a license in one of those five years. There are currently estimated 12 million lapsed anglers in the United States. Research also indicates that these lapsed anglers are highly likely to renew their license if reminded.

DEC will employ a direct mail marketing effort to help reach approximately 155,000 lapsed anglers this year. The direct mail marketing program will employ an oversized postcard with a creative message encouraging anglers to buy their fishing license. Targeted lapsed anglers should receive the first postcard around May 1 and those who have not purchased their license will receive a second mailing in June. The cost of the mailings will be shared by DEC and RBFF. RBFF will also be coordinating radio advertising promoting the sport of fishing and encouraging people to purchase their license around these dates.

Commissioner Grannis is encouraging people to go fishing, consistent with one of DEC’s top priorities of getting New Yorkers reconnected with the outdoors. Anglers also need to remember that even if they don’t plan on going fishing in the near future, through the purchase of a license they can make an important contribution to fisheries management and protection of the state’s diverse fisheries resources. Over 40 percent of the funding for DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries is derived from the Conservation Fund, which is supported by fishing license sale revenue. Another 14 percent comes from the federal Sportfish Restoration Program. These funds are derived from an excise tax on boating and fishing equipment, with funds allocated back to the states based on land area and number of licensed anglers.

Anglers can purchase a fishing license at various license issuing outlets throughout the state. These include town and county clerks, some major discount stores, many tackle shops, and sporting good stores. Licenses can also be purchased by phone by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS or online through the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html . For more information on the lapsed angler recruitment program call 518-402-8893 or e-mail fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us .

DEC’s website and regional offices also have information about public access sites for fishing and other recreational opportunities. Go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html for information about places to fish by region and to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7746.html for a listing of public fishing rights along popular waterways.

RBFF has also developed a special webpage at www.takemefishing.org/state/page/overview/state/NY that provides a direct link to DEC’s DECALS license issuing process and also provides other useful information including fishing and boat launch locations. RBFF is a nonprofit organization created in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing and Anglers’ Legacy campaigns. For information on RBFF and the programs they coordinate go to www.rbff.org or takemefishing.org .

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