11-40 



The Social and Economic Values of Estuarlne Use 



All uses have value, both Individually and as part of the develop- 

 ment and use of the entire estuarlne resource for the benefit of 

 the present and future national community. The importance and total 

 value of any estuarlne system He not 1n the measure of economic 

 value for any particular use, but 1n multiplicity of use related 

 to the needs of people who live there or otherwise depend on the 

 estuarine resource. 



Fish and Wildlife Habitat 



The value of the estuarlne zone as fish and wildlife habitat both 

 depends on and augments its value for other uses, particularly 

 recreation and commercial fishing. 



There 1s, in addition to these, the basic Incalculable value of the 

 estuarine habitat as a link in the essential energy-conversion 

 chain which permits man to survive at all. 



The trapping of fur bearers in the marshes of the Gulf and Atlantic 

 represents one of the few economic values directly attributable to 

 estuarine habitat. Louisiana is the major producer; in the 1965- 

 1966 season total sales were 4.6 million dollars out of the Nation's 

 6 million-dollar total. 



