In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ben Meadows—fisheries economist, conservationist, and passionate redfish angler—for a fascinating dive into the real value of recreational fishing.

From the dockside price of a fillet to the unspoken joy of watching fish swirl in the surf, Dr. Meadows breaks down how economic tools can (and can’t) capture what fishing means to us. We explore how traditional models fall short in valuing catch-and-release, why property rights matter in fishery policy, and how anglers—from fly fishers to surfcasters—can use economic insight to advocate for the resource we all share.

Whether you're a policy nerd, weekend warrior, or just wondering what your striper trip is “worth,” this one’s for you.

 Timestamps:

• 00:00  – Meet Dr. Ben Meadows: economist, angler, and former SEC kicker

• 04:00  – Redfish, cheap thrills, and the roots of a fishing obsession

• 06:30  – What does it really mean to maximize fishing value?

• 10:30  – Commercial fisheries: economics, incentives, and extinction

• 15:00  – Why monopolies might (strangely) be the best for fish stocks

• 19:00  – Property rights: the key to sustainable commercial fishing

• 23:00  – The real value of catch-and-release

• 30:00  – Non-market valuation tools explained

• 38:00  – Even a bluefish and bad day can have economic value

• 42:00  – Why stock abundance matters as much as harvest

• 45:00  – Building a bigger tent for recreational anglers