Graduate Exit Seminar - Mahesha Kuluppuarachchi

Plan to join Mahesha Kuluppuarachchi's graduate exit seminar on November 22, 2024, at 3:00 pm in Kottman Hall, Room 245 or via Zoom. Mahesha will present, "Value of recreational fishing in Ohio: Integrating economics, participation, and avidity of anglers"

Abstract: This dissertation investigates how economic and demographic data can better represent angler behaviors across diverse angler groups in Ohio. Through three empirical studies, I address key aspects of angler engagement, economic impacts, gender-based differences, and avidity bias in angler surveys. In the first study, I apply a non-market valuation technique -the travel cost method, to quantify the economic contributions of recreational fishing in Ohio. In the process, I employ 15 negative binomial models to estimate consumer surplus across five different water bodies, and ten fish species to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of recreational fisheries in Ohio. This study illustrates significant recreational value of fisheries in Ohio that demands for more specific, waterbody/location-based management strategies to support targeted management decisions by the resource managers in the state. The second study builds on the first to examine gender-based differences in recreational fishing in Ohio. This chapter highlight the substantial contributions of female anglers to Ohio’s recreational fishing and underscore the need for management strategies that recognize the diverse motivations and economic impact of male and female anglers in the state. In the third study, I evaluate how the frequency of participation among anglers impacts survey response rates and economic contributions. By comparing Ohio-based angler studies, and fishing license purchase history this research introduces avidity adjustment techniques to address response biases. Findings indicate that frequent anglers are often overrepresented in angler surveys, leading to inflated estimates. Collectively, this dissertation demonstrates how incorporating economic metrics, gender-specific analyses, and avidity adjustments refines our understanding of angler behavior, offering a robust foundation for management strategies that reflect the complexities of Ohio’s recreational fishing landscape.

Advisors: Dr. Sayeed Mehmood and Dr. Jeremy Bruskotter