Raw materials refer to the marine organisms extracted for all purposes except human consumption, e.g. pharmaceutical
and ornamental uses. Even though this category of MEBs is highly underestimated due to a lack of market value data, it
represents considerable market value. For example, figures show that the total value of fishmeal in the UK market in
2004 was £81 million (European Parliament Report 2004), whereas the estimated total gross income from seaweed was
between £349,819 and £583,032. Therefore, any alteration of marine biodiversity will influence the provision of raw
materials as well as the respective human welfare.