"Recreational fishing constitutes a considerable social and economic activity.

Total expenditure on recreational fishing across Europe is believed to exceed €25 billion a year.

By comparison, the 1998 value of commercial landings in the 15 EU member states was estimated at €20 billion"

That is just one of the pieces of information presented in a report, commissioned by the EU, into the value of Marine Recreational Fishing within the EU.  

The full report is accessible at:

www.eu.nl/fisheries/publications/studies/sportfishing_2006.pdf  

(See also  http://www.sacn.org.uk/Articles/Economics_of_Recreational_Sea_Angling.html for links to information regarding the UK)