FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scientists Unveil Florida Ocean and
Coastal Economics Report

Florida Oceans and Coastal Council Hosts Event at Miami Airport Hilton, June 17, 1 p.m.

MIAMI (June 12, 2008) — In Florida you are never more than 75 miles from saltwater.  Water defines Florida's geography, and we are recognizing as never before, the inextricable links between water and our economy, our communities, our coasts, our oceans, and our quality of life. Increasingly, we as Floridians, understand how decisions individually and regionally can impact the oceans as a whole.

June 17 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council will host the “Florida Coastal and Ocean Economics Forum” at the Hilton Miami Airport. The meeting will focus on findings from the forthcoming Phase II: Florida Ocean and Coastal Economies Report by the National Ocean Economics Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

Key findings from the report are:

• Florida’s coastal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2006 was over $561 billion, which represents a 17.4% increase from 2003 totals.
• Florida’s shoreline makes up over 75% of the economic productivity, yet the shoreline takes up only 56% of the land area.
• Florida’s ocean economy contributed $25 billion in direct revenue during 2005.

The forum on June 17 will kick off with opening remarks from Kelly Layman, chief of staff, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Opening remarks will be followed by a presentation by Dr. Judith Kildow, principal investigator and director of the National Ocean Economics Program, who will share more of the eye-opening economic findings from Phase II of the study, which includes statistics on several key industries, including: Fishing, Marine Transportation, Coastal Construction, Tourism/Recreation, Real Estate, Housing and Marine Research/Education. Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion of sector representatives who will discuss what the findings of this report might suggest for the future of their industry. There will also be a public Q&A with Dr. Kildow, Florida Ocean and Coastal Council members, and sector representatives.

About the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council
he Oceans and Coastal Resources Act, §161.70, et seq., Florida Statutes, created the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council. The Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, each appoints five marine scientists and experts who serve as voting members of the Council. Designees of the three agency heads serve as ex-officio members with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission co-chairing the Council. This resulting Council is charged with coordinating coastal and marine research in Florida, identifying research gaps, creating an Annual Research Plan, and recommending new strategies that enhance management and conservation efforts for our coastal and marine resources. www.floridaoceanscouncil.org

Media Contacts:
Nicole M. Love
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas
nicole.m.love@dep.state.fl.us
850-519-0954

Barbra Gonzalez
University of Miami
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
barbgo@rsmas.miami.edu
305-421-4704