Economic valuation of coral reefs and adjacent habitats in American Samoa
Spurgeon J, Roxburgh T, O'Gorman S, Lindley R, Ramsey D, Polunin N. 2004. Economic valuation of coral reefs and adjacent habitats in American Samoa. Final draft report. Jacobs
A final draft report of the study conducted in January-February 2004. The coral reefs of American Samoa are without doubt one of its most valuable assets, having provided benefits to generations of islanders. However, with one of the fastest population growth rates in the world and rapid economic and industrial development, over the last few decades the island's coral reefs have come under unprecedented pressure from habitat loss, over fishing and pollution. The Department of Commerce (DOC) established the American Samoa Coastal Management Program (ASCMP) in 1980 to protect and preserve natural resources while attempting to balance and satisfy development needs of the people and Fa'asamoa (the Samoan way of life). Under the ASCMP, the Governor's Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) identified resource economic valuation as an important tool to furthering coral reef management in the Territory. In particular, it was recognised that understanding the current and potential future economic value of reefs, can be an effective way of demonstrating the benefits of sustainable management to policy makers and the general public alike. In December 2003, the DOC commissioned Jacobs to undertake an economic valuation of the coral reefs and adjacent habitats of American Samoa. This report provides the results of the study which, it is hoped, will assist in the overall policy decision-making and help to guide resource management for future generations.