Benefits of the salmon stock restoration forrecreational anglers of the river Iijoki – pilot study with contingent valuation method

This pilot study explored non-local anglers’ opinions about the restoration of salmon stock into the river Iijoki, and how much this change would benefit the anglers. The research was carried out with the contingent valuation method and it is the first application on this issue in Finland.

The sample (1 000 anglers) was collected from those anglers who had purchased rod fishing license for the river Iijoki in the year 2009. The data collection was implemented by the internet survey. Due to the low response rate (17%), the sample is not a representative sample of the population and the results are tentative.

In the questionnaire, respondents chose the most pleasing alternative between the current situation and two different programs aiming to restore the salmon stock. The current situation was supported by less than 10% of the respondents, whereas the fish ladder alternative was supported by 85% and over transfer and restocking alternative 5% of the respondents. According to the results, the majority of respondents considered restoration of naturally reproductive salmon stock as very important. The anglers were willing to pay on average EUR 25, 6 per year as a salmon management fee to restore the salmon stock. The results indicate that the recovery of salmon stock into the river Iijoki would produce over a period of ten years, at least a million euro additional benefit for non-local anglers. The benefits are likely to be larger because the valuations of local inhabitants are lacking from the estimate. In addition,the restoration of salmon stock would bring into the river Iijoki anglers, who currently do not visit there at all.

Parkkila, K., Haltia, E. & Karjalainen, T.P. 2011. Benefits of the salmon stock restoration forrecreational anglers of the river Iijoki – pilot study with contingent valuation method.Riista- ja kalatalous – Tutkimuksia ja selvityksiä 4/2011. 28 s.