Robert Torricelli: “I rise to draw this country's attention to our nationally significant estuaries that are threatened by pollution…”

“I rise to draw this country's attention to our nationally significant estuaries that are threatened by pollution, development, or overuse. With forty five percent of the nation's population residing in estuarine areas, there is a compelling need for us to promote comprehensive planning and management efforts to restore and protect them. Estuaries are significant habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife because they provide safe spawning grounds and nurseries. Seventy five percent of the U.S. commercial fish catch depends on estuaries during some stage of their life. Commercial and recreational fisheries contribute $111 billion to the nation's economy and support 1.5 million jobs. Estuaries are also important to our nation's tourist economy for boating and outdoor recreation. Coastal tourism in just four states-- New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and California--totals $75 billion. Due to their popularity, the overall capacity of our nation's estuaries to function as healthy productive ecosystems is declining.”