According to the National Marine Fisheries Service 2008 Fisheries Economics of the United States regional report, the gross domestic product for the Gulf of Mexico totaled $2.35 trillion in 2007. In 2008, Florida generated more than $5.7 billion in sales, 108,600 jobs, and $3.1 billion income impacts due to the fishing industry in the gulf. More than 54,600 jobs were supported in West Florida alone as part of the recreational fishing industry.
In the Gulf of Mexico region, coastal wetlands provide recreational services resulting in an accrued benefit ranging from $327 million to $1 billion and for commercial services, almost $3.5 billion. These figures are just for coastal wetlands on the Gulf of Mexico, not including all the value other coastal wetland areas provided over the entire United States. Included in these figures are services many are unaware that wetlands provide, such as essential habitat that supports many sport fish, as well as a variety of threatened and endangered species. These services include providing areas for bird watching –– more than 7 million participants –– habitats for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, and a top destination for tourism. Florida ranks in the top 10 destinations to fish, swim, dive and enjoy the beaches and wetlands. http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/news/value-15479-ecosystem-very.html
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