Ecosystem services at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary are closely linked to commercial and recreational fisheries, research, and recreational diving. The dollar values for the sanctuary’s economic impacts are low for a few reasons. First, the sanctuary is at least several hours by boat from the coast and is fully submerged, limiting access for users and researchers alike. Second, very little research has been published on economic valuation after the 2021 expansion of the sanctuary. Thus, ecosystem service values most certainly underestimate the current use and non-use values that can be associated with the sanctuary. However, the value of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary as a hub of biodiversity within the larger Gulf ecosystem cannot be understated, with benefits ranging from $6,473.47 million to $19,790.33 million per year (Stefanski & Shimshack, 2016). Due to its remote location and one-of-a-kind habitat, the sanctuary’s coral reefs are additionally valuable to the research community as a place where young researchers can cement their careers as accomplished coral reef scholars.

To read the full report, visit: https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/73584