Habitat Conections: Wetlands, Fisheries and
Economics
Pacific Coastal States | South Atlantic |
New England | Gulf of Mexico | Mid Atlantic
Part Three: Wetlands, Fisheries, & Economics in the New England States
The relationships between wetlands and fish production are an essential and important part of the ongoing debate on wetland regulation and policy. Unfortunately, these relationships are complicated and often unappreciated. For some fisheries, such as shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico, the connection between wetlands and productivity has been demonstrated through extensive research. For others, such as salmon in the Pacific northwest, the relationship between habitat loss and productivity has been shown principally through the failure of the fisheries themselves. For a few fisheries, such as American lobster, the connection to wetlands has been discovered only recently, and the primary influences on productivity are still being investigated. Because of the complexity of aquatic systems, it is difficult to quantify the exact effect of the loss or degradation of a particular acre of wetland on a fishery as a whole.
Nonetheless, the life cycles of most commercial fish and shellfish species are fairly well understood, and biologists have determined that wetlands play an important part in providing food, protection, and spawning areas for a number of species. Approximately 75% of the Nations commercial fish and shellfish depend on estuaries at some stage in their life cycle. Estuaries themselves depend on their wetlands to maintain water quality and provide the basis for food chains that culminate in human consumption of seafood. Many estuarine-dependent species have even closer ties to wetlands in that they feed, take refuge, or reproduce in the wetlands themselves. Without wetlands, these fish and shellfish cannot survive.
Commercial marine fisheries contributed $19.8 billion in value added to the U.S. Gross National Product in 1993. Commercial fishing in 1988 employed over 274,000 fishers and 90,000 shore workers. Fresh water and saltwater recreational fisheries in 1991 supported 924,600 jobs, provided $19.2 billion in earnings, and resulted in $24 billion in expenditures. This industry also contributed $1.1 billion in state sales tax, $227 million in state income taxes, and $2.1 billion in Federal income taxes.
The following summaries for the New England coastal states provide information about the contribution of commercial and recreational fisheries to local and state economies, the relationships between the important fish species and wetlands, and the status of wetland habitats. About 32% of the commercial fish and shellfish harvested in the northeast Atlantic are dependent on estuaries and the wetlands that are an integral part of estuarine ecosystems. Species such as menhaden, bluefish, winter flounder, American lobster, and various species of clam, which are an important part of New England's fisheries, are dependent on the region's wetlands.
In the late 1970's and early 1980's, this country was losing wetlands at an estimated rate of 300,000 acres per year. The Clean Water Act and state wetland protection programs have helped to decrease wetland losses to an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 acres per year. Strong wetland protection must continue to be a national priority, otherwise fisheries that support more than a million jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the national economy are at risk.
Maine
Maine's extensive coastal rivers, bays and estuaries support both recreational and commercial fisheries for finfish and shellfish. Maine ranks in the top six states nationally in terms of total pounds and dollar value of commercial fish and shellfish landed. The dockside value of commercial fish landings in Maine exceeded $216 million in 1995. In 199 1, more than 448,000 anglers spent more than $190 million fishing in Maine. This activity supported 6,340 jobs with $106 million in earnings, and generated more than $1 1 million in state sales tax.
The coastal rivers and bays of Maine are the focal point for a significant portion of Maine's recreational and commercial fisheries. Much of the saltwater sport fishing in Maine occurs in Casco Bay, Muscongus Bay, Penobscot River and Bay, Blue Hill Bay, Union River Bay, Frenchmans Bay, Goldsboro Bay, Dyer's Bay, Englishmans Bay, Machias Bay, Pleasant Bay, and Cobscook Bay. Key commercial species, such as alewife, herring, menhaden, winter flounder, sea mussels, American lobster, and sandworm, depend on Maine's extensive estuarine and marine wetlands for food and protection as juveniles and adults. Commercial fishermen land most of their catch at Portland and Rockland; however, Biddeford, Bath, Boothbay Harbor, Kittery, Belfast, Bangor, Ellsworth, York Harbor, Bar Harbor, Jonesport, Machias, Eastport, and other, smaller coastal towns all benefit from the fishing industry. Bluefish and striped bass, two important recreational species, inhabit bays and adjacent rivers but depend on wetlands for their diet of small fish. Bluefish populations along the Atlantic coast have been significantly reduced in the last ten years and scientists believe that loss of wetland habitat is partly to blame.
Maine, while not subject to the intense development pressure of its neighbors to the south, nevertheless had lost approximately 20% of its estimated original wetlands base by the mid 1980's. The Clean Water Act and the state's Natural Resources Protection Act have resulted in a decrease of the state's wetland loss rate, but wetlands in coastal states like Maine are still being lost to development at a higher rate than is occurring in inland wetlands. Strong wetland protection is needed to protect Maine's fisheries an industry that contributes substantially to the state's economy.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire's relatively short coastline supports both recreational and commercial fisheries. In 1991, more than 319,000 anglers spent more than $99 million fishing in New Hampshire. This activity supported 2,972 jobs with $56 million in earnings. In 1995, the dockside value of the commercial fish and shellfish landings in New Hampshire was almost $15 million.
The near-shore waters and coastal bays are the focal point for New Hampshire's recreational and commercial fisheries. Much of the saltwater sport fishing in New Hampshire occurs in Hampton Harbor, Rye Harbor, the tidal waters at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, and the near shore waters. The juvenile life stages of the most important estuarine-dependent commercial species (dogfish sharks, spiny sharks, winter flounder, and herring) depend on New Hampshire's coastal bays and their wetlands for nursery areas. Commercial fishermen land their catch at New Castle, Portsmouth, Hampton Beach, Rye Beach, Great and Little Boar's Head and the many smaller coastal communities where they make important contributions to the local economies. Bluefish and striped bass, two important recreational species, depend on wetlands for the small fish upon which they faced in coastal bays and adjacent rivers. Scientists believe that loss of wetland habitat is partly to blame for the reduction in bluefish populations along the Atlantic coast that has occurred over the last ten years.
New Hampshire's coastal wetlands have been under less development pressure than those of its neighbors. By the mid-1980's, New Hampshire had lost only approximately 9% of its estimated original wetlands base. The Clean Water Act and the state's wetland protection statutes are an important part of maintaining the quality and quantity of the state's wetlands, and the fisheries that depend on those wetlands.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks third nationally in dockside value of commercial fish and shellfish landings, which in 1995 was more than $224 million. Recreational fisheries also play a major role in the state's economy. In 1991, more than 650,000 anglers spent more than $401 million fishing in Massachusetts. This activity supported 10,450 jobs with more than $238 million in earnings, and generated over $20 million in state sales tax. Communities such as Province town, Nauset, Chatham, Hyannis, Falmouth, Nantucket and Vineyard Haven all depend on recreational fishing to support their local economies. Cape Cod is known as the capital of north Atlantic flyfishing.
Massachusetts's saltwater sport fishing is concentrated in Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, and in the near-shore Atlantic Ocean, especially around Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island. The offshore commercial fisheries are intimately tied to George's Bank. The majority of Massachusetts commercial landings are made at New Bedford, Gloucester, Province town, Chatham and Boston. The juvenile stages of estuarine-dependent commercial species (winter flounder, herring, clams, bay scallop, conch, dogfish shark, spiny shark, and skate) depend on the fringing wetlands of Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, and Buzzards Bay for nursery areas. Bluefish and striped bass, two important recreational species, inhabit bays, sounds, and adjacent rivers, but depend on wetlands for their diet of small fish. Bluefish populations along the Atlantic coast have been in decline, and scientists believe that loss of wetland habitat is partly to blame.
Massachusetts, at the northern end of the industrialized corridor that extends to New York City, is under considerable development pressure. By the mid-1980's, Massachusetts had lost approximately 28% of its estimated original wetlands base. The Clean Water Act and the state's Wetlands Protection Act have decreased the state's wetland loss rate, but wetlands in coastal states such as Massachusetts are still being lost to development at a higher rate than is occurring in inland states. Consistent, long-term protection for wetlands at the Federal, state, and local level is essential for the protection of the fish habitats and fisheries that are so important to the Massachusetts economy.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's Atlantic coast and Narragansett Bay support both recreational and commercial fisheries for finfish and shellfish. In 1991, more than 170,000 anglers spent more than $70 million fishing in Rhode Island. This activity supported 2,160 jobs with $40 million in earnings, and generated almost $5 million in state sales tax. In 1995 the dockside value of the commercial fish and shellfish landings in Rhode Island was more than $68 million.
Narragansett Bay is the focal point for Rhode Island's recreational and commercial fisheries. Much of the saltwater sport fishing in Rhode Island occurs in Narragansett Bay. The offshore commercial fisheries are also intimately tied to Narragansett Bay because juvenile fish are produced in the bay, and commercial fishermen land most of their catch at Point Judith, on the southwestern edge of the bay. Galilee, Narragansett, Plum Point, Sakonnet, Warren, Newport, and other numerous towns that surround Narragansett Bay benefit from the fishing industry. The juvenile life stages of the most important estuarine-dependent commercial species (American lobster, hard clam, and winter flounder) depend on the fringing wetlands of Narragansett Bay for nursery areas. Bluefish, an important recreational species, depends on wetlands for the small fish upon which it feeds in coastal bays and adjacent rivers. Scientists believe that loss of wetland habitat is partly to blame for the reduction in bluefish populations along the Atlantic coast that has occurred over the last ten years.
Rhode Island, as part of the industrialized corridor between Boston and New York City, is under considerable development pressure. By the mid-1980's, Rhode Island had lost approximately 37% of its estimated original wetlands. The Clean Water Act and the state's wetland regulatory statutes have decreased the state's wetland loss rate, but coastal states such as Rhode Island are still losing wetlands to development more rapidly than is occurring in inland states. Consistent efforts to conserve Rhode Island's remaining wetlands are needed to ensure the continued health of the state's commercial and recreational fishing industries.
Connecticut
Connecticut's fisheries include not only recreational fishing in Long Island Sound, but also commercial fishing farther offshore. In 1991, almost 350,000 anglers spent more than $200 million fishing in Connecticut's waters, generating almost $13 million in state sales tax. The vast majority of the recreational fishing in Connecticut occurs in coastal waters. Saltwater recreational fishing in 1991 supported almost 4,000 jobs and more than $ 100 million in earnings for people in towns such as Groton, Old Say brook, Sachem Point, and numerous other towns along Connecticut's coast. During that same year the dockside value of the commercial fish landings in Connecticut, most of which were brought into Stonington, was almost $45 million. In 1995 that value was almost $57 million.
Much of the saltwater sport fishing in Connecticut occurs in Long Island Sound. The offshore commercial fisheries are also intimately tied to Long Island Sound because many juvenile fish are produced in the sound before migrating offshore. The juvenile life stages of many important recreational and commercial species, such as flounder and scup, depend on the fringing wetlands of Connecticut's shoreline for nursery areas. Bluefish and striped bass, which are also important recreational species, inhabit the sound and adjacent rivers, but depend on coastal wetlands for the small fish that are their food. Bluefish populations along the Atlantic coast have been in decline, and scientists believe that loss of wetland habitat is partly to blame. The most important commercial species, hard clam, depends on coastal wetlands for the detrital food chain that supports their growth.
Connecticut, as part of the industrialized corridor between Boston and New York City, is under considerable development pressure. By the mid-1980's, Connecticut lost approximately 74% of its estimated original wetlands base, a higher rate of wetland loss than any other New England state. The Clean Water Act and the state's wetland egulatory statutes decreased the state's wetland loss rate, but coastal states such as Connecticut are still losing wetlands to development more rapidly than is occurring in inland states. Continuing wetland loss will adversely affect Connecticut's fisheries - an industry that contributes substantially to the state's economy, particularly in coastal towns.
References:
- American Sport fishing Association. The 1991 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the United States. ASA:10pp.
- Brady S.J. and Flather CH., 1994 Changes in wetlands on nonfederal rural land of the conterminous United States from 1982 to 1987. Env. Manag. 18(5):693-705.
- Chambers, JR., 1992. Coastal degradation and fish population losses. In Stroud ed. Stemming the Tide of Coastal Fish Habitat Loss. National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Inc.:45-51.
- Dahl. TE., 1990. Wetlands Losses in the United States 1780's to 1980's. U.S. Dept. Interior.-13pp.
- Heimlich, R. and Melanson, J., 1995. Wetlands lost, wetlands gained National Wetlands Newsletter 17(3).
- McCunnell, K.E, Smith, T.P., and Farrell, 1981. Marine Sportfishing in Rhode Island, 1978. NOAA Sea Grant University of Rhode Island Technical Report 83.
- US. Dept. Commerce, 1996. Fisheries ofthe United States, 1995. U.S. Govt. Printing Office
- U.S Dept. Interior and US. Dept. Commerce, 1993. 1991National Survey of fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation {individual state name}. U.S. Govt. Printing Office.
- US Dept Commerce, 1995. Unpublished statistics, William M. Kier Associates, 1994 Fisheries, Wetlands, and Jobs. Campaign to Save California Wetlands. 24pp.
Authors:
Susan-Marie Stedman
Office of Habitat Conservation HQ
Silver Spring, MDJeanne Hanson
Protected Resources Management Division
Anchorage, AK