The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, announces the availability of a new study report, Economic Impact of Recreational Fishing and Diving Associated with Offshore Oil and Gas Structures in the Gulf of Mexico.

This study estimated demand, expenditures, and the economic impact associated with recreational fishing and diving near oil and gas platforms located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, and the artificial reefs created from these platforms. Overall, the scientists involved in the study estimated that almost one million fishing trips were taken within 300 feet of these structures and reefs, out of almost 4.5 million such trips in 1999. Recreational fishermen spent $160 million across the Gulf from Alabama through Texas in making trips offshore to platforms and reefs; recreational divers spent $13.2 million. These sums do not include the money spent on recreational fishing and diving equipment; these totaled $640 million that same year, but not all of the money was spent on trips to offshore platforms and reefs. But by using statistical analyses, the investigators calculated that anglers who fished near offshore platforms and reefs spent over $1,500 more than those who did not. The total economic output is calculated at $324.6 million, including 5.560 fulltime equivalents.

In short, the investigators concluded that there is substantial recreational activity associated with oil and gas structures in the Gulf from Alabama through Texas, and that these activities have considerable economic impact.

You can obtain copies of the report from the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $15.00 by referencing OCS Study MMS 2002-010. You will be able to obtain this report also from the National Technical Information Service in the near future. Here are the addresses. You may also inspect copies at selected Federal Depository Libraries.