Journal Article
Monetary Value of Surf Zone Fishery Resources on the SouthWest Iberian Peninsula
Carlos Rodríguez‐García; Jesica Sarmiento‐Carbajal; José Belquior Gonçalves Neto; Remedios Cabrera‐Castro
Fisheries Management and Ecology · Vol. 32, Issue 1 · 2025
Abstract
Beaches are among the world's most important coastal ecosystems, within which surf zones are crucial providers of essential ecosystem services to humans. We completed the first estimate of current and potential monetary value of fishery resources in surf zones of beaches on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Over 1 year, five beaches in the Gulf of Cádiz were sampled using a beach seine. For monetary valuation, average first‐sale prices were used, with a capital update based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 189.16 kg of 38 commercial species captured had a potential monetary value (PMV) of 408.63 €/ha. The annual value of adult fish (19 species) averaged 115.05 €/ha and juvenile fish (33 species) averaged 293.58 €/ha. Our findings highlight the value of surf zones and beaches as fishery resources, similar to other marine ecosystems. Our findings are useful for ongoing monitoring and research to enhance knowledge of these areas and the array of ecosystem services they provide.