Report: Pa. fish, game merger would save millions

A new legislative study says merging Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission with the Game Commission could save nearly $5 million annually in personnel costs.

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report released Wednesday said the two agencies could cut about 52 jobs, but it says such a change could incur other costs, such as the need for a new logo, uniforms, website and vehicle identification.

Pennsylvania is the only state that divides management of fish and wildlife resources into two agencies.

The Fish and Boat Commission had 381 employees and 51 vacancies as of last summer. The Game Commission had 700 employees and eight vacancies.

The Fish Fund brings in about $35 million a year, the Boat Fund about $13 million and the Game Fund nearly $92 million.