1998 Year of the Ocean Coastal Tourism and Recreation 



(EPA, 1996). In 1996, Americans spent approximately $17.7 billion on boats and 

 directly related items (NMMA, 1996). 



• Over 80 million Americans participate in outdoor (non-pool) swimming, with visitors 

 to beaches and lakes increasing from 18 million in 1981 to 23 million in 1989. In 

 seven states, beachgoers spent $74 billion with the most popular recreational 

 activities being swimming, sunbathing, and walking in coastal areas (EPA, 1996). 



• Birdwatching is estimated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to generate spending 

 of about $18 billion per year by over 24 million "birders" and other wildlife watchers, 

 a generous proportion of which occurs in coastal regions (EPA, 1996). 



A number of the estuary programs that make up EPA's National Estuary Program have 

 undertaken studies of the economic activity generated by the coastal and estuaries resources in 

 their region. Some findings related to coastal tourism and recreation are given below (EPA, 

 1997): 



Corpus Christi, Texas. Nature tourism in Corpus Christi is the fastest growing component of a 

 tourism sector that generates $23 billion annually. Recreational fishing provides aggregate net 

 benefits to the area of $83 million, including $37 million per year in state and local taxes, with a 

 regional economic impact of $546 million. Non-fishing coastal recreational activity adds another 

 $23 million in state and local taxes, and $340 million in regional economic impact. 



Long Island Sound, New York. The economic impact of water quality-dependent uses in Long 

 Island Sound, including boating, commercial and sport fishing, and swimming, is estimated at 

 more than $5 billion annually. Commercial and recreational fishing contributed more than $1 .2 

 billion to the total, while beachgoing has a direct benefit of more than $800 million annually. 



Indian River Lagoon, Florida. The Indian River Lagoon region is a popular resort and vacation 

 desfination which received over six million visitors in 1995 and provided economic benefits of 

 approximately $730 million. 



Santa Monica Bay, California. Tourism is the Los Angeles region's second largest industry 

 with 392,000 full and part-fime jobs contribufing $3.6 billion annually to the region's payroll. 

 With nearly four million tourists annually, and over 45 million beach visits per year, Santa 

 Monica Bay contributes significantly to the regional economy. 



San Francisco Bay, California. The economy of the 12 counties bordering this estuary exceeds 

 $175 billion and supports more than four million jobs. Many of these jobs are dependent on the 

 estuary's natural resources or are water-related. Revenues from maritime activities exceed $5.4 

 billion each year, and marinas annually generate some $167 million. Tourism, which generates 

 over $4 billion annually, is likewise strongly tied to the aesthetic values of the estuary. 



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