A recently-released report shows spending on nature-related activities by Prince Edward Islanders contributed over $26 million to the provincial gross domestic product and supported 700 jobs in 1996.
"The Importance of Nature to Canadians: The Economic Significance of Nature-related Activities" is based on the findings of the Nature Survey conducted by Statistics Canada among 87,000 Canadians, 15 years of age and over.
The survey determined residents of Prince Edward Island spent $24.6 million on outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and hunting in 1996.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Kevin J. MacAdam said the results point to the significant role nature-related activities play in the lives of Prince Edward Islanders and the economy of the province.
"The survey underlines the importance of sustainable management of our natural resources," the minister said in a news release. "Often, we do not attach an economic value to our natural assets but these findings clearly indicate it makes good economic sense to manage these resources wisely."
The report breaks down the total expenditures of $24.6 million into four categories:
- $16.5 million was spent on outdoor activities in natural areas (the list includes such things as sightseeing, camping, swimming, biking and skiing);
- $3.1 million was spent on wildlife viewing;
- $1.5 million on recreational fishing; and
- $1.9 million on hunting wildlife.
Minister MacAdam pointed out those figures refer only to direct expenditures by Prince Edward Islanders. They do not take into account expenditures by non-residents and spinoffs, so in many cases the economic value of the activity is even greater.
For example, the $1.5 million Islanders spent on the recreational fishery in 1996 is in keeping with the results of the 1995 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada published by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). However, the DFO report also details the fact that the recreational fishery in Prince Edward Island generated another $400,000 in direct expenditures by non-residents and $2 million in major purchases such as boating equipment and special vehicles.
Of the direct expenditures of $24.6 million, the Nature Survey found transportation and small equipment accounted for the largest portion of the total - $6.3 million and $5.5 million respectively. Another $4.3 million was spent on food; $2.9 million on accommodations; and $1.5 million on other items such as entry fees. The remaining $4.1 million was spent on contributions to nature-related organizations, sustaining land for conservation, and residential wildlife-related activities such as bird feeding.
According to the survey an estimated 91,000 Prince Edward Island residents (85 percent of the population aged 15 years and over) participated in the various outdoor activities in 1996. The report puts a value of $6.9 million on the enjoyment derived from participation in nature-related activities because participants said they would be willing to increase their expenditures by this amount before deciding to forego these activities.
The Nature Survey report was sponsored by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Task Force on the Importance of Nature to Canadians. Minister MacAdam said the document will be a valuable source of information for his department.
"I believe it reinforces the importance of initiatives we have already undertaken - programs such as the Wildlife Conservation Fund and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, and the designation of Wildlife Management Areas," the Minister said.
"However, it also provides some direction for the future. We will look to the results for input as we continue to work to ensure the natural resources that Islanders value so much are preserved for future generations to enjoy."