Marine Reserves in the South Atlantic Region: Socioeconomic Issues to be Addressed

Vishwanie Maharaj
Fishery Economist, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 1 Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407, 843-571-4366, FAX: 843-769-4520, e-mail vishwanie.maharaj@noaa.gov

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering the use of marine reserves as a management tool in the case of overfished fish stocks; specifically to aid in the recovery of the snapper grouper complex. In addition, there has been some interest in building artificial reefs on barren areas that would be set aside as harvest refugia. Advisory groups to the council have come up with a list of criteria, which will be used to evaluate proposed marine protected areas. Socioeconomic impacts is one of the criteria to be considered in developing potential marine reserves. This presentation focuses on the economic analyses required to provide necessary information for the decision making process, and to fulfill federal mandates that require socioeconomic information. Identification of relevant use and non-use values of all stakeholders is the first major step in this endeavor. The appropriate use of benefit-cost analysis, and input-output analysis will be a fundamental part of this discussion.