The leisure and recreation service provided by coastal marine biodiversity has significant economic value, including
support to the related employment and small businesses. In the UK, the total net value of marine leisure and recreation
was estimated to be £11.77 billion in 2002 (Pugh and Skinner, 2002). More specific valuation studies are undertaken for
open marine waters, e.g. whale-tourism and seal watching. Statistical figures show that the whale-tourism in West
Scotland generated total income at £7.8 million in 1994, whereas the seal watching provided at least £36 million to the
UK economy in 1996 (Beaumont et al. 2006).