Ray Rhodes, Kim Iverson, Aja Lynch, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, Office of Fisheries Management, PO Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29422

Abstract. A sample of 1,754 recreational saltwater charter, headboat, and pier anglers fishing in SC during 1996 provided expenditure data. Average expenditures per day fished were calculated for SC coastal residents and nonresidents. Aggregate expenditures by charter and headboat anglers were estimated using expenditure averages and daily logbook data. Averages from the pier angler were expanded to the population total expenditures by using monthly data provided by pier operators. An input-output analysis of the aggregate expenditures by these coastal resident and non-resident anglers was conducted using the IMPLAN model and coastal county economic data. Economic impact models such as IMPLAN are designed to determine the "direct effect" of increased (decreased) purchases like headboat fees and lodging but also simulate "indirect" and "induced effects" of these purchases. The estimated total economic impact of nonresident charter, headboat, and pier anglers in the SC coastal region exceeded $25 million during 1996. A reduction of "for hire" fishing related expenditures could result in a reduction of coastal businesses serving these nonresident anglers if not a temporary unemployment in the coastal region. The uses and abuses of economic impact assessment procedures will be discussed.