A sustainable community recognizes both ecosystem sustainability and economic sustainability as mutually beneficial. The National Marine Sanctuary Program considers not only the potential cost of management restrictions on income generating activities, but also public benefits derived from long-term protection of nationally significant resources.
Background
In 2008, socioeconomics was highlighted as one of the three strategic tools in the development of the CBNMS Final Management Plan. The economic role of ocean industries such as fishing and shipping was highlighted.
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A "Study Area Profile" describes the on-land areas where most of the socioeconomic impacts of sanctuary resource use take place. Demographic and economic profiles are included by county. The "Study Area Profile" is updated with 2010 data from the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Download the Study Area Profile, 1990 to 2010
Commercial fishing is an important industry in the CBNMS. In 2013, a report was completed to assess the economic impacts of commercial fishing on local county economies from catch in the CBNMS. The report includes information on economic impacts, profiles of various fisheries, extent of gear type use, trends in vessels, port dependency and other socioeconomic indicators.
Recreational fishing in CBNMS creates value to the local economy. In 2015, a report was completed to assess the economic impacts of recreational fishing on local county economies of CBNMS from 2010 through 2012. The report includes information on economic impacts, expenditures of fishermen and person-days fishing trends by mode of access.