Variables for human activity/economic valuation analysis

(expected) benefit of activity = dependent variable

hours spent at spot or conducting the activity, respectively (recreational activities)

value of landings - cost of effort

“monetary values associated with trip” (recreational activities)

equipment (fixed per hour and trip)

distance dependent travel costs (car)

parking fee

boat-trip costs (boat dives)

charter costs (recreational fishing and diving )

possible ecological explanatory factors

abundance of predatory fish

abundance of non predatory fish

diversity of rockfish

persistence of kelp

presence or abundance of spiny lobster

presence of mammals

presence of giant black sea bass

pretty invertebrates

other possibly explanatory “natural” variables or man made features

visibility

dive difficulty

presence of wrecks

natural rock features (pinnacles, caves, walls)

exposure to waves

surge

walking distance car park/dive site (shore dives)

swimming distance (shore dives)

(if analysis goes beyond Monterey, human population density will be important to include)

open question: time spend on boat for divers = costs or part of the fun?