COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS

 
Jim Casey, Asst. Prof. of Economics, Washington and Lee University

Env. Studies Capstone Presentation - January 20, 2004

 

What is the Coast?

What does it look like?

 

1) A QUICK SNAPSHOT
Forty (fifty) percent of the world's population lives within 100 (60) kilometers of a coastline, an area that accounts for only about 20 percent of the land mass.
 

Population increase and conversion for development, agriculture, and aquaculture are reducing mangroves, coastal wetlands, seagrass areas, and coral reefs at an alarming rate.
 
Fish and shellfish provide about a sixth of the animal protein consumed by people worldwide. A billion people, mostly in developing countries, depend on fish for their prime source of protein.

Coastal ecosystems have already lost much of their capacity to produce fish because of overfishing, destructive trawling techniques, and destruction of nursery habitats.
 

Rising pollution levels are associated with increasing use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
 
Goods and Services:
commercial fishing
fish, shellfish, fishmeal, seaweeds, salt and genetic resources

moderate storm  impacts, provide human and wildlife habitat, maintain biodiversity, dilute and treat wastes, provide harbors and  transportation routes, provide employment, provide recreation, and contribute to aesthetic beauty.

2) SUMMARY ASSESSMENT

State of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

3) MANAGING COASTAL RESOURCES
Integrated Coastal Management (ICM)

4) OTHER RESOURCES

ECON 395: marine resource economics