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Economy
Seagrass habitat is prime Florida real estate that belongs to all of us. Florida's multi-million dollar sportfishing industry depends upon bonefish, red drum, spotted sea trout, and other fish that feed in the seagrass meadows. Commercial fishing in Florida is also tied to healthy grassbeds. Shrimp, stone crab and spiny lobster together have a commercial value of over $85 million annually. Snapper and grouper add another $35 million to Florida's economy. The commercial seafood industry in the Florida Keys, which has more than half of Florida's grassbeds, is valued at more than $13 million annually. Loss or degradation of this valuable habitat can have direct and long-term economic impacts on recreational and commercial interests in the state of Florida.
 Seagrass meadows also support Florida's number one industry — tourism. In 2005, 85.8 million people traveled to Florida, making the state one of the world's top tourist destinations. Many Florida visitors are attracted to the state's thousand miles of coastline and its warm, clear waters, extensive seagrass meadows, colorful coral reefs, and unique marine life. Manatees, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and wading birds forage in the grassbeds. Reef fish and spiny lobsters also find food there, emerging from the shelter of the reef at night when the chances of predation are low. Florida's grassbeds are indeed some of its most valuable real estate!
Fact Sheets
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