Economic valuation of species loss in the open sea

► We use a CVM to assess the WTP to avoid loss in the number of marine species. ► We examine WTP for increased levels of species loss in 5 taxa and all marine species. ► Small differences in the WTP to prevent losses in the different marine taxa. ► Mammals and fish were valued more highly than birds, invertebrates and algae. ► WTP to preserve all marine species was higher than the sum of the individual taxa.