Fish, wildlife and Washington's economy (2009)

Spending by fishers, hunters and wildlife watchers generates more than $6.7 billion annually for Washington state’s economy. Many of
the dollars they spend support small businesses and rural communities, keeping cash registers ringing in restaurants, motels, gas
stations, convenience stores and sporting goods outlets.

Some 40 percent of Washingtonians participate in the outdoor economy by fishing, hunting or actively observing wildlife, according to a
national survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Commercial fisheries, meanwhile, generate an average of $3.8 billion here
annually by the time their catch is processed, distributed through wholesalers and sold in retail markets or served in restaurants.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the state agency charged with protecting native fish and wildlife, and
providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.

Working throughout the state, WDFW’s 1,385 employeesâ€"field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians and
customer service staffâ€"manage hundreds of species, maintain nearly a million acres of public lands and serve the public.