Valuing Offshore Habitat to Recreational Anglers Using Cell Phone Location Data

Abstract

Offshore structures, including operational and reefed energy platforms, strengthen marine habitats and generate economic value, motivating interest in quantifying their net benefits. We combine the random utility model with Murdock’s (2006) site-choice approach to estimate the nonmarket value of offshore structures to recreational anglers in the western Gulf of Mexico (2019–2022). Recreational fishing trips are identified in cell phone location data using a machine learning classifier trained on automatic identification system data. Location choices indicate that anglers value destinations farther offshore, particularly those with operating and reefed energy platforms, while other artificial reefs generate smaller and spatially variable benefits.