The Indirect Economic Contribution of Fisheries to Coastal Communities through Tourism

The existence of a commercial fishery in a coastal community is often promoted by the tourism sector as a key feature to encourage visits by tourists. However, the contribution of fisheries to tourism in coastal communities in the economic literature is unclear, with mixed results from previous studies. In this study, we examine the counterfactual—how would tourism change in the absence of fishing, and how would this affect benefits to tourists and the local economy. We use a contingent behavior travel cost model, combining revealed and stated preference data, to estimate these changes for Mooloolaba, a coastal fishing town in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. We find that the fishing industry and related provision of local seafood generate $6 million in welfare gains to visitors. We further estimate that it is directly responsible for 19% of the total number of days visiting the town, contributing an additional $8 million per year through tourism related expenditure. Given the importance of the fishing industry to the tourism sector in coastal communities, there is a need for the tourism industry to engage in the fisheries management process.