NewsWhore
05-04-2010, 04:10 PM
The degradation of coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves could cost the Dominican Republic tourism industry nearly US$100 million and threaten the livelihoods of Dominican fishermen who depend on these ecosystems for survival.
"Coastal Capital: Valuing Coastal Ecosystems in the Dominican Republic", a new report released last week by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Reef Check-Dominican Republic, provides a first-ever detailed view of the economic and recreational value of the Dominican Republic's coralline beaches, reef and mangrove fisheries, and ecotourism industry. The report follows similar analyses for Tobago, St. Lucia and Belize.
"Coral reefs and mangroves provide many valuable benefits or 'ecosystem services' to the people and economy of the Dominican Republic," said Lauretta Burke, senior associate at WRI. "They help build beaches and slow erosion, draw millions of local and international tourists to the coasts, and provide habitat for valuable fisheries. However, these ecosystems are being degraded by pollution and overfishing - threatening both the local and national economy."
The research found that each meter of beach lost in front of an all-inclusive resort reduced average nightly per-person hotel room rates by about US$1.50. If beaches continue to erode at the current rate, this translates to US$52-100 million of lost revenue for the Dominican tourism industry over the next decade.
Overfishing has also taken a toll on the country's fisheries. The report estimates that the income from reef- or mangrove-dependent fisheries has decreased by 60% in the past decade, from US$41 million to $17 million. The downward trend is endangering the livelihoods of many Dominican fishermen, and will continue unless overfishing is curbed.
The organization proposes that better enforcement of fishing regulations, coupled with increased dive tourism in the country's marine parks, could be a win-win solution for both fish populations and the fishermen who depend on them. One case study found that tourism operators at La Caleta Marine Park could charge US$50-60 per person for dive trips. Fishermen who become dive operators in the park could earn 90% of what they currently earn from fishing - a number that would increase as tourism activities expand.
WRI's Coastal Capital project was made possible by financial support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Swedish Biodiversity Programme (SwedBio).
www.wri.org/press/2010/04/news-release-... (http://www.wri.org/press/2010/04/news-release-reefs-and-mangroves-essential-economic-growth-dominican-republic)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)
"Coastal Capital: Valuing Coastal Ecosystems in the Dominican Republic", a new report released last week by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Reef Check-Dominican Republic, provides a first-ever detailed view of the economic and recreational value of the Dominican Republic's coralline beaches, reef and mangrove fisheries, and ecotourism industry. The report follows similar analyses for Tobago, St. Lucia and Belize.
"Coral reefs and mangroves provide many valuable benefits or 'ecosystem services' to the people and economy of the Dominican Republic," said Lauretta Burke, senior associate at WRI. "They help build beaches and slow erosion, draw millions of local and international tourists to the coasts, and provide habitat for valuable fisheries. However, these ecosystems are being degraded by pollution and overfishing - threatening both the local and national economy."
The research found that each meter of beach lost in front of an all-inclusive resort reduced average nightly per-person hotel room rates by about US$1.50. If beaches continue to erode at the current rate, this translates to US$52-100 million of lost revenue for the Dominican tourism industry over the next decade.
Overfishing has also taken a toll on the country's fisheries. The report estimates that the income from reef- or mangrove-dependent fisheries has decreased by 60% in the past decade, from US$41 million to $17 million. The downward trend is endangering the livelihoods of many Dominican fishermen, and will continue unless overfishing is curbed.
The organization proposes that better enforcement of fishing regulations, coupled with increased dive tourism in the country's marine parks, could be a win-win solution for both fish populations and the fishermen who depend on them. One case study found that tourism operators at La Caleta Marine Park could charge US$50-60 per person for dive trips. Fishermen who become dive operators in the park could earn 90% of what they currently earn from fishing - a number that would increase as tourism activities expand.
WRI's Coastal Capital project was made possible by financial support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Swedish Biodiversity Programme (SwedBio).
www.wri.org/press/2010/04/news-release-... (http://www.wri.org/press/2010/04/news-release-reefs-and-mangroves-essential-economic-growth-dominican-republic)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)