Economic Values of Increasingly Rare and Endangered Fish

Abstract

This paper discusses the types of economic benefits that rare and endangered fish provide members of the general public, and a survey method increasingly used to measure those benefits. The paper also presents results from recent surveys that have attempted to elicit the economic values the public holds for rare and endangered fish. These surveys indicate that citizens would pay US$4–$9 per year to increase stream flows and restore habitat of species such as the Colorado squawfish and $30–$60 per year for increasing populations of Pacific Northwest salmon. Validation of market simulations shows that Montana resident anglers donated on average $2 and nonresident anglers $12 to The Nature Conservancy to increase flows in one river for the Arctic grayling and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. A large portion of the dollar values reflect the benefits citizens derive from simply knowing the abundance of these species will be increased and available for future generations. Legislators, policy makers, and social scientists should consider these economic factors when debating reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.