Executive Summary: Socioeconomic Study of Reefs in Southeast Florida Final Report

Investment in and maintenance of public resources is a prime function of government. Artificial and natural reefs are public resources that provide recreational benefits to reef users and income to local economies. This study determined, in a comprehensive manner, the net economic value of southeast Florida's natural and artificial reef resources to the local economies and the reef users. Southeast Florida is defined as the counties of Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe. This study area includes, from north to south, the cities of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, and the Florida Keys. This study employed extensive survey research to measure the economic contribution and the use values of artificial and natural reefs over the twelve-month period of June 2000 to May 2001. The reef users surveyed were boaters who are recreational fishers (commercial fishers were not included), reef divers, reef snorkelers and/or visitors viewing the reefs on glass-bottom boats. This study estimated the following values: • Use of artificial and natural reefs by residents and visitors in each of the four counties over a twelve-month period as measured in terms of person-days • Economic contribution of the artificial reefs as residents and visitors spend money in each of the four counties to participate in reef-related recreation • Economic contribution of the natural reefs as residents and visitors spend money in each of the four counties to participate in reef-related recreation • Willingness of reef users to pay to maintain the natural reefs of southeast Florida in their existing conditions • Willingness of reef users to pay to maintain the artificial reefs of southeast Florida in their existing conditions • Willingness of reef users to pay for investment in and maintenance of additional artificial reefs in southeast Florida • Socioeconomic characteristics of reef users Economic contribution is measured by total sales, income, employment, and tax revenues generated within each county. In addition, the opinions of resident reef-using boat owners regarding the existence or establishment of "no-take" zones as a tool to protect existing artificial and natural reefs are presented.