ECONOMIC STATISTICS FOR NOAA
(March 2003–Revised Edition)

April 7, 2003— NOAA completed the first revision to Economic Statistics for NOAA, a compendium of economic statistics relevant to NOAA’s mission and programs. It is intended to serve as a common reference to the economic impacts and benefits of NOAA programs and provide a consistent set of economic statistics for NOAA management and staff when preparing for Congressional visits and testimony, budget preparation, speeches and other external events.

Two criteria were established for inclusion. The first is relevance and importance to NOAA’s mission and activities. Second, is the ability to cite a credible source in either peer-reviewed or gray literature or correspondence.

The statistics are grouped into three general categories:

• Economic and Social Impacts reflect how natural marine, atmospheric,
  and coastal phenomena affect the general public. For example,
  weather and climate sensitive industries account for nearly 30
  percent of the nation’s GDP. Subcategories include:
  • Weather and Climate Impacts
  • El Niño Impacts
  • Coastal Storm Impacts
  • Harmful Algal Blooms
  • Seafood Impacts
  • Coastal Pollution and Hazardous Waste Site Impacts
• Contributions to U.S. Income, Employment, and Output are statistics
  that directly reflect the market value and human uses of resources
  impacted by NOAA’s programs. For example, the economic value added
  to the national economy by the U.S. commercial fishing industry was
  approximately $29 billion in 2001. Other statistics are a direct measure
  of the economic benefits of investing in NOAA programs, such as
  improvements in El Niño forecasts. Subcategories include:
  • Fisheries Contributions
  • Coastal Contributions
  • Beach Visitation
  • Satellites
  • Marine Commerce
  • Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
  • Weather, Climate and Storm Warnings
  • Defense
  • Sea Grant
• Values and Uses of Coastal Ocean Natural Resources statistics illustrate
  the demographic, social, and economic importance of the nation’s
  coastal areas. They also reflect the quantitative importance of so-called
  “nonmarket” benefits of coastal resources such as beaches and recreational
  boating, which are not directly measured in dollar terms.
  "Economic Statistics for NOAA" is noteworthy in that it illustrates the
  economic importance of NOAA’s programs to the nation’s economy and
  public well-being. This revised edition includes additional statistics, especially
  on severe weather impacts, fisheries, Sea Grant, economic benefits of weather
  and climate forecasting, and ocean observing systems. Subcategories include:
  • Coastal Uses
  • Nonmarket Coastal Benefits

The NOAA Library serves as the repository for information in this publication. Questions and comments should be directed to NOAA Chief Economist, Rodney Weiher, by e-mail at rodney.f.weiher@noaa.gov, or by phone at (202) 482-5181.

Other economic resources available on NOAA Web sites include:

• Coastal and Ocean Resource Economics
• Fisheries Statistics & Economics
• Economics and Human Dimensions Program
• NOAA/National Sea Grant Internet Resource for Coastal Environmental Economics
• Information on the Economic Impacts of NOAA Science: NOAA's Participation in WSSD

Relevant Web Sites
AN ECONOMIC CASE FOR AN INTEGRATED OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM

WHAT IS THE “VALUE” OF THE BEACH?

ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DROUGHT AND THE BENEFITS OF NOAA's DROUGHT
FORECASTING SERVICES

THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF AN EL NIÑO

WEATHER IMPACT ON USA ECONOMY

Economic Statistics for NOAA (March 2003)

Coastal and Ocean Resource Economics

Fisheries Statistics & Economics

Economics and Human Dimensions Program

NOAA/National Sea Grant Internet Resource for Coastal Environmental Economics

Information on the Economic Impacts of NOAA Science: NOAA's Participation in WSSD

Media Contact:
Greg Hernandez, NOAA, (202) 482-3091