REEFMAKERS- Economic Impact

Turning Obsolete Ships into Underwater Treasures

The arrival of divers, fisherman and others seeking recreational marine activities adds money to the local economies beginning with the publicity generated throughout the period leading up to and during the sinking of the ship and continuing through greatly increased long term tourism.

The results indicate that artificial reefs generated income for each community in the range of $32 to $500 million, and provided a total of 26,886 jobs in all four counties. Read more about the big money to be made...

Studies in South Carolina indicated that reefs along the coast of that state accounted for 26% of total offshore fishing even though they made up less than 0.5% of total available sites. As early as 1992 South Carolina estimated the total current economic impact of artificial reefs at $17 million. A 1991 survey of marine users from Texas, North Carolina and Florida reported that 54.2% of all diving trips were to artificial reefs even though they represented a small fraction of total reef area and that two thirds of divers preferred ships to other artificial reef sites.

Economic Impact

The economic contributions of artificial reefs are well documented. A recent study, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, investigated the socioeconomic value of artificial reefs in four counties in southeastern Florida.