{"id":4126,"date":"2011-08-25T12:50:55","date_gmt":"2011-08-25T16:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.divetalking.com\/?p=4126"},"modified":"2011-08-25T12:50:55","modified_gmt":"2011-08-25T16:50:55","slug":"study-finds-artificial-reefs-are-economic-boon-enjoy-widespread-public-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.divetalking.com\/?p=4126","title":{"rendered":"Study finds artificial reefs are economic boon, enjoy widespread public support"},"content":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Mickie Anderson<\/a>, UF\/IFAS News<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

(Aug. 4, 2011) — A new Florida Sea Grant study of artificial reef use in six
\nSouthwest Florida counties shows the structures lure a lot more than fish.<\/p>\n

The reefs, which provide habitat for popular sport fish and other marine
\nlife, pulled more than $253 million into the region during one year, the study
\nfound. Though it costs nothing more than a saltwater fishing license to use the
\nsubmerged structures as a fishing spot, anglers spend money on food, lodging,
\nfuel, tackle and other necessities.<\/p>\n

The UF and Florida Sea Grant study, TP-178
\nEconomic Impacts of Artificial Reefs for Six Southwest Florida Counties<\/a>,
\nlooked at money generated by artificial reefs in Pinellas, Hillsborough,
\nManatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties in 2009. Researchers found that
\n$136 million came from residents, while $117 million was spent by visitors.<\/p>\n

Bob
\nSwett<\/a>, the UF associate professor and Florida Sea Grant extension specialist
\nwho led the study, said he was struck most by the contrast between the income
\ngenerated and the small amount counties invest in the reefs \u2014 ranging from
\n$20,000 to $60,000 a year for each county, with some years requiring little to
\nno spending. The reefs also enjoy private support, such as local marine
\ncontractors who donate materials and in-kind labor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat shows me that there\u2019s a lot of bang for the buck in terms of what they
\nget out of the artificial reef programs,\u201d said Swett, also a member of UF\u2019s
\nInstitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.<\/p>\n

Chris Neal, who works for the Scuba Quest dive shop chain\u2019s Sarasota
\nlocation, said his company frequently takes groups of divers out to artificial
\nreefs because the man-made structures allow divers to see such a wide variety of
\nfish and wildlife.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see all kinds of fish \u2013 flounder, hogfish, snapper and grouper,\u201d he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n

Besides asking residents about their reef-related spending, the UF
\nresearchers also asked boaters who use reefs and those who do not their opinions
\nabout spending public money to build and maintain the structures, which are
\ntypically underwater piles of large, hollow concrete blocks where fish can
\nhide.<\/p>\n

While users were more likely to support such spending (county responses
\nranged from 83 percent to 95 percent, in favor), Swett said he was also
\nimpressed by non-reef users\u2019 enthusiasm. Their support for spending public money
\non reefs ranged from 61 percent to 71 percent.<\/p>\n

Artificial reefs are used for a number of activities, among them: enhancing
\nrecreational and charter fishing and diving, boosting reef fish populations and
\naiding scientific research.<\/p>\n

For more than three decades, Florida Sea Grant has contributed to the
\nevolution of the state\u2019s reef-building community through research, scientific
\nconferences and outreach activities. Many of its coastal county-based extension
\nfaculty are involved in some activity related to artificial reefs.<\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s artificial reef program, created in 1982, includes more than 2,500
\ndocumented artificial reefs in the state\u2019s coastal waters. About one-third of
\nthem were the subject of the recent economic study.<\/p>\n

Other survey highlights: on average, more than 5,600 southwest Florida
\nresidents use artificial reefs every day; for-hire fishing enterprises,
\nincluding fishing guides, charter boats and party boats, accounted for nearly
\n$90 million in spending, and artificial reefs support more than 2,500 full- and
\npart-time jobs.<\/p>\n

The researchers used a combination of mail, telephone and e-mail to collect
\nsurvey responses.<\/p>\n

The study was funded by the U.S. Fish and
\nWildlife Service<\/a>, the Florida Fish
\nand Wildlife Conservation Commission<\/a>, the West Coast Inland Navigation District <\/a>and the
\nparticipating counties. Besides Swett, the research team included Chuck Adams, a
\nmarine economics professor; Sherry Larkin, associate professor in resource
\neconomics, extension scientist Alan Hodges and postdoctoral associate Thomas J.
\nStevens.<\/p>\n

For more information contact
\n