t' rough existing beds, dredging of beds for new ship channels, smothering 

 of beds by dredging and resuspension of sediments by ship traffic, and loss 

 of area from offshore structures. Indirect effects may also occur. Habi- 

 tat will be lost due to: dredging, increased sedimentation from onshore 

 construction, and development of marsh areas. Physiological f unctions of 

 fish and shellfish may be altered in areas of decreased water quality. 

 Pop "lation numbers of aquatic organisms may decline from increased human 

 populations settling in the coastal zone. 



The South Atlantic region has sizable industries based on fishery 

 resources, particularly in North Carolina (for oysters), but including all 

 states (for shellfish and shrimp). In North Carolina, for instance, oyster 



ro nds are found in the shallow waters adjacent to mainland and Outer Banks 

 f ro l Croatan Sound south to Bogue Sound. Hard clams and bay scallops are 

 abundant in Core and Bogue Sounds. Reduction in the availability of shell- 



ish populations due to oil and gas developments would affect a socioeconomic 

 sector less capable, or willing, to find other types of employment. While the 

 Jol'lar value of seafood catch has increased in recent years, the pounds of 

 catch have declined significantly (26, p. 63). Causes of the decreased near- 

 shore fish harvests may be attributed to: overfishing, sewage pollution, 

 runoff from farming operations. 



The degrees of adverse effects of oil and gas activities on fish and shell- 

 fish resources will depend also on the size of the reserves which are found. A 

 high find for the Baltimore Canyon area of 1.4 billion barrels of oil or of 1.3 

 billion barrels for the South Atlantic would produce more severe effects than a 

 low find occurrence. Also, enforcement of environmental protection laws by fed- 

 eral and state agencies and adherence to zoning/planning requirements set forth by 



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