May 15, 2019

The Environmental and Economic Impacts of Moorage Marinas on the West Coast

Completed in 2019.

An interdisciplinary research team calculated the net economic impacts of moorage marinas in Southern California and Western Washington by investigating economic gains, costs, and environmental externalities. To quantify such impacts, they used geographic information systems to correlate marina locations and NOAA Mussel Watch data on pollution and other impacts dating back to 1986, and they considered the costs and environmental benefits of non-copper antifouling bottom paint. These economic and environmental impacts can be compared for baseline and alternative scenarios, helping regulators and coastal communities develop prudent, informed marina policies.