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Abstract
Georgia trout anglers were surveyed to better understand trout angling trip characteristics, trip costs, climate change knowledge, and demographics. Specific objectives included estimating the total economic value of trout anglers in Georgia, to understand factors determining demand for trout angling, and analyzing potential change in economic value of trout angling in response to trout population reductions due to climate change. With the travel cost model as the theoretical basis, the empirical estimation method employed a truncated negative binomial regression. Consumer surplus per trip per person estimates ranged from $60.02 to $164.57 while annual aggregate estimates ranged from $72.7 to $199.5 million, depending upon opportunity costs of time. Behavioral changes related to trout population reduction scenarios estimated potential decline in aggregate net economic values of up to 49% in the 75% reduction scenario. Results from this study could help policymakers in particular better understand determinants of trout angling demand, and justifying funding initiatives aimed at protecting or managing for this resource.