Ocean Science Summary: Global Benefits and Impacts of Marine Recreational Activities
Marine recreational activities (MRAs), such as recreational fishing and whale watching, are being enjoyed by more people than ever and can have significant economic benefits. However, they have historically been over-looked in ocean resource management efforts even though these activities depend upon healthy marine ecosystems. To incorporate MRAs effectively into marine resource management plans, managers need to be able to quantify a full range of the benefits and impacts of MRAs.