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Abstract
For centuries man has used coastal waters and the seas as a receptacle
for %:/astes. Although the oceans have an enormous capacity to assimilate
wastes, this limit is now being exceeded, or at least threatened,
in many parts of the world. The resulting damages affect not only
ecological stability and survivability of aquatic life, but also human
uses and enjoyment of marine water. This paper identifies beneficial
water uses impaired by marine pollution and evaluates them in an
economic framework.
Economic damages from current levels of pollution are estimated along
•shorelines of the United States. Ranges of damage values are assumed
to reflect uncertainty and incompleteness of the data base. Water uses
that are assessed include commercial fishing, recreation (boating,
sports fishing, swinming, and beach picnicking), and navigation. '
.At the international level, the severity of marine pollution is
evaluated in a qualitative sense. Documented damages to recreational
beaches and commercial fisheries are cited; and specific marine
pollution problems are recognized for various countries. To date,
economic analyses of international pollution control strategies have
received minimal. attention, although legal policies on cooperation
are evolving.