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MIAMI- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the
Florida Oceans and Coastal Council hosted the “Florida Coastal and Ocean
Economics Forum” at the Hilton Miami Airport today to discuss the findings from
a forthcoming economic report. The final version of the Phase II report by the
National Ocean Economics Program is scheduled for release at the end of this
month.
“Our waters define Florida and we are recognizing, as never before, the
inextricable links between our communities, our coasts, our ocean and our
quality of life,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “In Florida, the only
continental state largely surrounded by ocean, you are never more than 75 miles
from saltwater. This report demonstrates why now, more than ever before, we as
Floridians must realize how our individual and regional decisions can impact the
oceans as a whole.”
Florida’s economy and population are projected to grow rapidly over the long
term with development booming along the coasts. The Phase II report outlines the
importance of using our oceans and coastal systems in a way that is both
protective and economically stimulating.
Some of the highlights of the Phase II report include:
- Florida’s coastal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2006 was more than $561
billion, a 17.4 percent increase from 2003.
- Florida’s ocean economy contributed $25 billion in direct revenue during
2005.
- Florida’s shoreline accounts for more than 75 percent of the state’s
economic productivity, while occupying only 56 percent of the land area.
DEP Chief of Staff Kelly Layman provided opening remarks for the forum and
Dr. Judith Kildow, Principal Investigator and Director of the National Ocean
Economics Program presented the findings from the Phase II: Florida’s Ocean and
Coastal Economies Report. The forum also included a public question and answer
session with Dr. Kildow, Florida Ocean and Coastal Council members and sector
representatives.
The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council was created in 2005 by the Oceans and
Coastal Resources Act and is comprised of 18 individuals who coordinate coastal
and marine research in Florida, identify research gaps, create an annual
research plan and recommend new strategies to enhance management and
conservation efforts for the state’s coastal and marine resources.
For more information on the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council visit
www.FloridaOceansCouncil.org.
To view the 2006 Phase I Report, click on the link to the Florida Coastal and
Ocean Economics Forum.
For more information on the National Ocean Economics Program, visit
http://noep.mbari.org/ | 
