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Habitat Conections: Wetlands, Fisheries and
Economics
Pacific Coastal States | South Atlantic |
New England |
Gulf of Mexico |
Mid Atlantic
Part Five: Wetlands, Fisheries, & Economics in the Mid-Atlantic
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.
However, 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 Nation's 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 mid-Atlantic 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 78% of the commercial fish and shellfish in the Chesapeake Bay are dependent on estuaries and the wetlands that are an integral part of estuarine ecosystems. Menhaden, striped bass, hard clam, and blue crab, which are important elements of the mid-Atlantic's commercial and recreational fisheries, are among the species that are dependent on the wetlands of this region.
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.
New York
New York's coastal fisheries include not only recreational fishing in Long Island Sound, but also commercial and recreational fishing in Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Bay, Great South Bay, and in offshore waters. In 1991, more than 1.8 million anglers spent more than $800 million fishing in New York's waters, generating more than $33 million in state sales tax. About one-quarter of the recreational fishing in New York occurs in coastal waters. Saltwater recreational fishing in 1991 supported 4,730 jobs and resulted in more than $ 1 00 million in earnings for people in towns such as Montauk, Greenport, Shinnecock, and numerous other communities on Longlsland. During l992, the dockside value of New York commercial estuarine dependent fish landings, brought into Montauk, Blue Point, Brookhaven, Huntington, and other coastal towns, was almost $26 million (landings for the state as a whole were about $54 Million).
The juvenile life stages of important recreational and commercial species, such as flounder, scup, and butterfish, depend on the fringing wetlands of New York's estuarine shoreline for nursery areas. Bluefish and striped bass, important recreational species, generally inhabit bays and Long Island Sound, 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 its growth. Long Island supports the most productive hard clam fishery in the United States, and is second only to Louisiana in the oyster fishery, which is also supported by wetland-based detrital food chains.
By the mid-1980s, New York had lost approximately 60% of its estimated original wetlands base. The effects of this wetland loss have been felt throughout the state's watersheds, from streams that support anadromous fish, such as herring, to coastal areas that suffer the cumulative effects of watershed degradation. For example, Great South Bay, one of the primary locations for the hard clam fishery, has suffered severe water quality problems related to wetland loss and other effects of intense development in its watershed. The Clean Water Act and the state's wetland regulatory statutes have resulted in a lessening of the state's wetland loss rate, but coastal states such as New York are still losing wetlands to development more rapidly than is occurring in inland states. Continuing wetland loss will adversely affect New Yorles fisheries - an industry that contributes substantially to the state's economy, particularly in coastal towns.
New Jersey
New Jersey generally ranks in the top ten states nationally in terms of total pounds and dollar value of commercial fish and shellfish landed. The dockside value of commercial fish landings in New Jersey was more than $95 million in 1995. Recreational fisheries also play an important role in the state's economy. In 1991, about 950,000 people spent more than $630 million fishing in Newjersey's waters, generating more than $44 million in state sales tax, resulting in $400 million in earnings, and supporting 16,750 obs. Communities such as Point Pleasant, Tuckertown, Manahawkin, Brielle, Bellmar, and Cape May all depend upon fishing to support their local economies.
Key commercial species such as menhaden, bluefish, and blue crab, as well as important recreational species such as striped bass and flounder, all depend on New Jersey's estuarine and open coast wetlands for food and protection for young and adults. Menhaden, which generally make up a large percentage of New Jersey's commercial catch, have particularly strong ties to coastal wetlands and their detrital food chain. This tie is so critical that the regional management plan for Gulf menhaden (one of the species harvested in New Jersey) cites wetland loss as one of the principle threats to the fishery. It is not surprising, given continuing coastal wetlands loss and fishing pressure, that the menhaden fishery has declined by about 26% (pounds landed) since 1983.
New Jersey lost about 46% of its wetlands between the 1780s and 1980s. Since passage of the Clean Water Act and the state's wetiand protection statutes, wetland loss in New Jersey has slowed. However, coastal wetlands remain particularly vulnerable to destruction due to development, and recent studies have concluded that coastal wetlands are lost to development at a rate three times higher than the rate of inland wetiand loss to development. Due to its location near the urban center of New York City, New Jersey is under very intense development pressure. Strong wetland protection efforts are needed to avoid additional wetiand loss, which would adversely affect the fisheries that depend on wetlands, and the communities that depend on the fishing industry.
Delaware
Delaware has very close ties to the coast - no part of the state is more than 20 miles from Delaware Bay or the Atlantic Ocean. Although fisheries currently play less of a role in the state's economy than they did when the Atlantic menhaden fishery was strong (the 1950s), the dockside value of commercial fish and shellfish landings in Delaware in 1995 was almost $8 million. Recreational fishing is growing in importance to the state's economy. In 1991, about 155,000 people spent almost $60 million fishing in Delaware's waters, resulting in $29 million in earnings, and supporting 1,605 jobs.
Delaware Bay, Rehoboth Bay, Indian Fiver Bay, Little Assawoman Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean coast provide the basis for Delaware's commercial and recreational fisheries. The communities along Delaware Bay (Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware City, Port Penn, Woodland Beach, Port Mahon, Bowers, Slaughter Beach, Broadkill Beach, and Lewes) as well as the Atlantic coastal communities of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach, all receive economic benefits from both commercial and recreational fishing. Saltwater sportfishing contributed over 80% of the recreational fishing benefits in Delaware.
The major commercial species in Delaware is blue crab, while recreational species include striped bass and flounder. juveniles and adults of these species depend on the wetlands of Delaware Bay, Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay estuaries for food and protection.
The Delaware coast is under heavy development pressure. The state lost about 54% of its wetlands between the 1780s and 1980s. Since the passage of the Clean Water Act and the state's wetiand protection acts, the loss of wetlands in Delaware has slowed. However, wetlands in coastal states, such as Delaware, are currently lost to development at a rate three times higher than the rate of wetiand loss to development in inland states. Continuing wetland loss will adversely affect Delaware Bay, the fisheries that depend on wetlands, and the communities that depend on the fishing industry.
Maryland
Maryland encircles the u per half of Chesapeake Bay, one of the nation's most productive estuaries, and also has an extensive coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of this abundant and diverse coastline, recreational fishing is a very important part of the state's economy. In 199 1, more than 430,000 anglers spent more than $275 million fishing in Maryland's waters, generating almost $14 million in state sales tax. In excess of one-third of the recreational fishing in Maryland is saltwater sportfishing in the state's estuarine waters. Saltwater recreational fishing in 1991 supported about 5,000 jobs and resulted in more than $103 million in earnings for people in towns such as Baltimore, Ocean City, and numerous other communities in coastal Maryland. In 1995 the dockside value of Maryland's commercial fisheries was more than $60 million, which contributed substantially to the economics of communities such as Baltimore, Ocean City, St. Michaels, Tilghman, Cambridge, Easton, Chestertown, Aberdeen, Pocomoke City, Annapolis, and Solomons.
It has been estimated that approximately 78% of Maryland's commercial fisheries are estuarine, utilizing estuaries for reproduction, nursery areas, food source, migrations, and shelter. Considering the important part wetlands play in maintaining the health of Chesapeake Bay, it is evident that Maryland's coastal wetlands are essential for supporting the state's fishing industry. Important commercial and recreational species, such as menhaden, black sea bass, striped bass, bluefish, flounder, eels, blue crab and clam, depend on Maryland's wetlands for nursery areas and food production. Menhaden, the commercial species landed in greatest numbers in Maryland, has a particularly strong tie to coastal wetlands and their detrital food chain. It is not surprising, given continuing coastal wetiand loss and fishing pressure, that the menhaden fishery has declined by about 26% (pounds landed) since 1983.
By the 1980's, Maryland had lost 73% of its original estimated wetland base. The Clean Water Act and the state's two wettand statutes have slowed the state's wetland loss rate, particularly in tidal areas. The Chesapeake Bay Program, a federal-state partnership, is currently promoting protection and restoration of the bay's wetlands and other aquatic habitats. 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 economy of Maryland.
Virginia
Most of Virginia's coastal waters are part of one of the nation's most productive estuaries: Chesapeake Bay. In 1991, more than I million anglers spent more than $365 million fishing in Virginia waters, generating almost $13 million in state sales tax. About one-third of the recreational fishing in Virginia occurs in the state's estuarine waters. Saltwater recreational fishing in 1991 supported 4,000 jobs and resulted in more than $76 million in earnings for people in towns such as Chincoteague, Wachapreague, and numerous other communities in coastal Virginia. In 1995 the dockside value of Virginia's commercial fisheries was more than $113 million, which contributed substantially to the economies of towns such as Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News. Reedville, and Saxis.
It has been estimated that approximately 78% of the Chesapeake Bays commercial fisheries are estuarine-dependent, i.e., dependent on estuaries for reproduction, nursery areas, food production, or migrations. Considering the important part wetlands play in maintaining the health of Chesapeake Bay, it is evident that Virginiocs coastal wetlands are essential for supporting the state's fishing industry. Important commercial and recreational species, such as flounder, menhaden, and hard clam, depend on Virginia's wetlands for nursery areas and their detrital food chain. This tie is so critical that the regional management plan for Gulf menhaden (one of the species harvested in Virginia) cites wetland loss as one of the principle threats to the fishery. Continuing coastal wetland loss and fishing pressure have contributed to a 26% (pounds landed) decline in the menhaden fishery since 1983.
By the 1980's Virginia had lost 42% of its original estimated wetland base. The Clean Water Act and the state's tidal wetlands act have slowed the state's loss of tidal wet- lands, but loss of inland wetland is still occuring. Strong wetland conservation is essential to the protection of the bay and its Virginia tributaries, the fisheries that depend on the wetland habitats, and the Virginia communities that depend on the areocs fisheries.
References:
- American,Sportfishing Association- The1991Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the United States ASA: 10pp.
- Brady, S.J. and Flather C. H., 1994. Changes in wetlands on nonfederal rural land of the conterminous United Statesftom 1982 to 1987. Env. Manag. 18(5):693-705.
- Carteret County Economic Development Council Inc., 1992. Commercial fishing remains significant in county's economy. Economic Resources, 3(3).
- Chambers,J.R., 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).
- Turner, R. E, 1992. Coastal wetlands and Penaeid shrimp hahitat. In Stroud, ed. Stemming the Tide of Coastal Fish Hahitat Loss. National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Inc.:97-104.
- U.S. Dept. Commerce, 1996. Fisheries of the United States, 1995. U.S. Govt. Printing Office.
- U.S. Dept. Interior and U.S. Dept. Commerce, 1993. 1991 National 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