In 2021, a total of 1.5 million Swedes spent over 15 billion Swedish kronor on their recreational fishing. This forms the foundation for the fishing tourism industry in Sweden. Currently, there is no register of fishing tourism activities, making it difficult to assess the industry's size and societal benefits, from a national perspective. However, at the regional and local level, it is possible to conduct site-specific studies on the contribution of fishing tourism to local development.
The project aims to map and quantify the socio-economic effects of fishing tourism for salmon and sea trout in two areas in Sweden where these activities are presumed to have significant importance for the local economy: Mörrumsån and Byskeälven. This is done through a survey to fishers in the respective areas. The analysis provides information on the contribution of recreational fishing to turnover, value-added, employment, etc. for local fishing tourism enterprises.
The project is funded by the Swedish Board of Agriculture and is a collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, and Uppsala University. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2025.