Habitat and recreational fishing opportunity in Tampa Bay: Linking ecological and ecosystem services to human beneficiaries

Estimating value of estuarine habitat to human beneficiaries requires that we understand how habitat alteration impacts function through both production and delivery of ecosystem goods and services (EGS). Here we expand on the habitat valuation technique of Bell (1997) with an estimate of recreational angler willingness-to-pay combined with estimates of angler effort, fish population size, and fish and angler distribution. Results suggest species-specific fishery value is impacted by angler interest and stock status, as the most targeted fish (spotted seatrout) did not have the highest specific value (fish−1). Reduced population size and higher size at capture resulted in higher specific value for common snook. Habitat value estimated from recreational fishing value and fish-angler distributions supported an association between seagrass and habitat value, yet this relationship was also impacted by distance to access points. This analysis does not provide complete valuation of habitat as it considers only one service (fishing), but demonstrates a methodology to consider functional equivalency of all habitat features as a part of a habitat mosaic rather than in isolation, as well as how to consider both EGS production and delivery to humans (e.g., anglers) in any habitat valuation, which are critical for a transition to ecosystem management.