Valuing Offshore Habitat to Recreational Anglers Using Cellphone 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 a Random Utility Model with Murdock9s (2006) site-choice approach to estimate the nonmarket value of offshore structures to recreational anglers in the Western Gulf of Mexicoi (2019-2022). Recreational fishing trips are identified in cellphone 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.