Marinas NAICS 713930

Sep 3, 2025 - Fishing Participation Reaches High

• Nearly 58 million Americans went fishing in 2024, a 34% increase in participation over 2023, according to the 2025 Special Report on Fishing by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) in Marina Dock Age. The number of Americans six and over who went fishing in 2024 reached a record high of 19% of the US population. However, the report noted that churn poses a challenge for the industry, with participation rates falling sharply after a child turned 18. The most popular fishing locations were riverbank (49%), shoreline (48%), boat (45%), pier (24%), kayak (7%), and other (5%). 2024 set a record for female participants, reaching 21.3 million women. The report showed that the top barriers to fishing were crowded fishing spots, the discomfort of being outside, not catching any fish, unclean waters, and the expense of fishing equipment.
• New-boat registrations were down 9% in April 2025, continuing a slowing of the market, according to a report in Trade Only Today. Registrations for all seven segments totaled 228,894 in April on a rolling, 12-month basis. Major declines came in the pontoon (down 15.6% in April year over year), personal watercraft (down 10.6% in April), and saltwater fishboat (down 9% in April) categories. The only segment posting growth year over year in registration was freshwater fishing boats (up 1.2%). Major markets including Florida and New York posted declines in registrations on a 12-month rolling average, while six states posted an increase in the period including Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Delaware. Data for the new-boat registrations was provided by Florida-based data provider Info-Link.

• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers showed a downward turn, with consumer confidence and consumer sentiment levels falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, declined in August 2025, month over month, falling by 1.3 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels were lower in August, but remained similar to levels in the past three months, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. August’s loss can be attributed to consumers under 35 years old while confidence levels rose for consumers over 55. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.2 in August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.
• The US marinas industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.53% between 2025 and 2029, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is faster than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth. Spending by US households and tourists, foreign students, and other visitors largely drives the arts, entertainment, and recreation industries. Consumer confidence is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the sector. A factor that may curb consumer spending is substantially higher tariffs on consumer goods, which may be painful for households. On a positive note, lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Real income could suffer if average prices rise due to tariff implementation.