New York`s recreational boating is an important part of the state`s water economy. Boating has long been thought to generate millions of dollars in revenue in New York, but there were no data on the actual expenditures or how they impact different segments of the economy. The recreational marine industry sought Sea Grant's assistance in quantifying the expenditures associated with recreational boating and the impact on the state's economy in an effort to help the public and decision makers understand the importance of this activity and to make more informed decisions regarding boating and boating facilities. Sea Grant worked with a state wide advisory committee to identify the critical data gaps and information needs. Cornell's Human Dimensions Research Unit was selected to do the study. The study found boaters spend some $2.4 billion annually, generating an economic impact of $1.8 in New York and generating 19,000 jobs. Sea Grant has continued working with the industry disseminating the results of this work and increasing awareness of the role it plays in the economies of New York's coastal communities.

With over 500,000 registered boats, New York ranks seventh nationally in terms of number of boats. Recreational boating is an important economic activity along all of the state's coast including the marine district, Hudson River, Great Lakes, and inland lakes. While boating is an important water use, the marina and boat yard industry that provides the infrastructure necessary for recreational boating is comprised primarily of a large number of small businesses, many operating at marginal profit levels. Because they are located on the waterfront by necessity, they face a number of environmental, economic and regulatory challenges that threaten their continued operation. Unfortunately because of their relatively small and diffuse nature, they are often overlooked when policy decisions are made. They lack the resources necessary to develop the information needed to help the public and decision makers better understand the importance of the industry and the effects of management and regulatory decisions regarding boating and waterfront facilities. As a result, marine industry leaders requested Sea Grant's assistance in developing information on the impact of recreational boating that would increase awareness of the importance of this activity and their businesses.

In response to stakeholders' requests, Sea Grant Extension initiated a project with support and funding from the New York Sea Grant Institute to quantify the economic activity associated with recreational boating and the impact this activity had on a statewide basis. Extension formed an advisory committee of agency and industry stakeholders representing all of the state's coastal regions. The committee worked with the Cornell University Human Dimensions researchers to design, review and assess a survey that was sent to 6,000 recreational boaters. The study found significant positive economic impact for the state. Extension worked with the researchers and committee to develop a summary report and disseminated the results of the study through press releases, articles and interviews on TV, radio and in the press.

As a result of this effort, findings of the study were reported in 11 national, regional and state media publications and covered by five radio stations and two television stations. More than 12,257 copies of the study have been downloaded from the NYSG website. More importantly, marine trades organizations are using this information to increase awareness of the importance of the industry and influence policy decisions. Industry leaders used the information to convince public officials to provide better dates for the annual National Boat Show held at the Javits Convention Center. The New York Post quoted figures from the study to justify this change, stating "Hopefully, the powers that be in Albany will be looking at this study and conclude that the Boat Show deserves a better shake." The state changed the dates so they did not conflict with the Christmas holiday, increasing attendance and sales. The Director for the Great Lakes Boaters Federation, citing the high quality of the study, is using it as a model for the development of a Great Lakes-wide economic study being conducted by the Great Lakes Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The New Jersey Marine industry used New York as a model and received $100,000 from the state to conduct a similar study. The study was quoted in the background section of a recently passed senate bill (S7154B) on intoxicated boating citing the economic importance of boating to the state as further justification for improving boating safety.

Supporting and Enhancing Water Dependent Businesses

NOAA Sea Grant

• Tommy Brown (Cornell Human Dimensions Research Unit)
• Nancy Brown (Cornell Human Dimensions Research Unit)
• David Kay (Cornell Human Dimensions Research Unit)