Do you know how much revenue our Ocean related activities generates for Hawaii?
Coral reefs were important to the ancient Hawaiians for subsistence, culture and survival. Today these reefs provide commercial, recreational and subsistence fishing opportunities, create world famous surfing and diving locations, and are vital to Hawaii’s approximately $800 million a year marine tourism industry. The economic value of Hawaii’s coral reefs was estimated at US$10 billion with direct economic benefits of $360 million per year in 2002 (Cesar and van Beukering, 2004). Despite their economic significance, reefs near urbanized areas have experienced increasing stress from human and land-based impacts due to ever-increasing population pressures. Current estimates note that 10 percent of all coral reefs are degraded beyond recovery. Thirty percent are in critical condition and may die within 10 to 20 years. Experts predict that if current pressures are allowed to continue unabated, 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs may die completely by 2050. Most scientists believe reef degradation occurs in response to both natural and anthropogenic (human-caused) stresses.
U.S. Fishing Facts
- Nearly 40 million Anglers
- $45.3 billion in retail sales
- $125 billion in overall economic output
- $16.4 billion in state and federal taxes
- Over 1 million jobs supported
- More people fish than play golf and tennis combined
Hawaii Fishing Facts
- 157,000 Hawaii anglers from ages 16 years old and up
- $124,853,656 in Hawaii retail sales
- 1999 jobs related to fishing in Hawaii
- $24 million in state and federal taxes
Surfing Industry Facts
- Over 100,000 people from Hawaii has surfed in the last year
- $14,600,000 is generated from surfing during the winter months in Hawaii
- $7.48 Billion dollars generated nationally
- $10 Billion dollars generated Globally
Source: 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Scarborough Research. Hawaii Business News. Surfline.com.