The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation

Fishing and related activities. The national growth and the competitive share
components were both negative, contributing to the declining trend of the fishing
industry during the time period analyzed. This sector lost 79 jobs from 2001 to
2005, which indicates an employment decline of 7 percent. However, a positive
industry mix component indicates that fishing is still growing faster in the County
than the national average growth rate of the four sectors analyzed (Table 5-6).
Table 5-6. Employment Shift – Share Analysis, 2001 – 2005 Aransas
National
Share
Industry
Mix
61
Competitive
Share
Employment
Change
Employment
% Change
Fishing related
activities -45 33 -68 -79 -7%
Mining (oil and gas) -9 11 91 93 43%
Construction -30 107 126 203 27%
Manufacturing -7 -15 -12 -33 -19%
Total -90 137 137 184 8.10%
Manufacturing. All three components decreased the expected number of jobs
in this industry from 2001 to 2005 (Table 5-6). Manufacturing was the weakest
sector among the four sectors analyzed, declining 19 percent, or a loss of 33 jobs
within the County (Figure 5-13).
Figure 5-13. Employment change by sector. Aransas, 2001-2005
250
150
50
-50
-150
-250
Fishing, and
related activities
Mining
Construction
Manufacturing
Construction. The sector grew at a rate of 27 percent, which contributed to
the creation of 203 new jobs during the time period analyzed (Figure 5-13). This
can be attributed to the population growth experienced by Aransas County.
Although the nation’s overall growth rate negatively influenced this industry; the
unique mix of industries and the competitive share elements have both
contributed to the creation of new jobs (Table 5-6). This indicates not only that