Economic impact analysis of Texas marine resources and industries.

A Texas Marine Region of 63 counties is delineated as a study area. Periphery and growth core areas are located within each sub-region. The structure and location of marine industry complexes are analyzed in terms of a lead-lag relationship between growth core areas and the periphery. A shift-share and location quotient analysis indicate that Texas Marine industries have a record of high growth. The coastal onshore and offshore geologic structures of Texas are related. The major mineral produced onshore is natural gas with significant amounts of oil; natural gas has been the major mineral produced offshore. More that 40 percent of the state population resides in the Texas Marine Region; 75 percent of this total lives in Primary Marine Regions I and II, located adjacent to the Texas coast. The core area of Primary Marine Region I is the marine industrial center of Texas. This area represents a major world offshore industry center and is a major import-export marine complex of the United States. The total direct and indirect impact of marine industries in the Texas Marine Region was estimated to be apporximately $1.9 billion in sales. Total employment generated was more than 150,000 workers.