The Economic Value of Water and Ecosystem Preservation

main fisheries are shrimp and oysters it could be argued that these counties
would continue to have an advantage, particularly in oysters, where global
competition is not as relevant as it is in shrimping. Of greater interest is that the
total economic impact of employment loss in the fisheries sector was not nearly
as great in the other employment sectors analyzed.
In the case of Aransas, the growth in mining and construction was able to
offset the decline in fisheries and manufacturing, and create a net 376 jobs and
income of $17.6 million. For Calhoun, the study period coincided with a scaling
back of expansion at the petro-chemical firms and this is reflected in the declining
employment numbers. Yet, it still illustrates the greater impact that each of the
three industries has on the economy than fishing.
It is felt that shrimping will continue to feel pressure from imports as well as
from input prices, such as fuel. Oystering may still have a competitive advantage
given the demand for fresh product. This fishery will face pressure in the form of
higher input prices as well as habitat loss. One could conclude that even if there
is a loss of jobs in the fishery sector that it could be made up in other sectors,
assuming they grow, and that the impact would actually be greater. However,
there might be value beyond the economic output of the fishing sector.
Texas and the Coastal Bend have a rich commercial fishing history. There
are many who value its presence beyond the product that it can provide. These
values that are not as tangible can add to the impact that the industry has. For
example, there are tourists who come on vacation and enjoy the experience of
going to the docks to buy shrimp, fish, or oysters directly off the boat. If this
experience is taken away, an important question is whether the tourist would
continue to holiday in this region.
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