vi-y? 



SECTION 2. THE DATA BASE NECESSARY 

 FOR EFFECTIVE TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT 



It is becominq qenerally recognized that the basic need in estuarine 

 zones is a comprehensive management system designed to maximize the 

 net benefits possible. A great deal of technical and socioeconomic 

 information is necessary for developing and implementing such a 

 management system. Unfortunately, present knowledge is inadequate 

 for most estuarine areas. 



The knowledge required for wise and effective estuarine manaqement 

 must be supplied through cooperative efforts of enqineers, biologists, 

 economists, and others and incorporated into a conventionalized sys- 

 tem of data processing and storage. The availability of data from 

 engineering and ecological studies for socioeconomic analysis should 

 not be merely coincidental, but should be a carefully planned objec- 

 tive incorporated into research designs through multidisciplinary 

 interaction and planning. 



The range of estuarine information needed transcends the scope of 

 biological, physical, and chemical data; it must also include speci- 

 fic information of demographic, social, and economic significance. 

 Knowledge of the uses and values of estuarine resources is also a 

 reguirement of this data base. We must also be fully cognizant of 

 the institutional arrangements operating in the estuarine zone, for 

 any management proqram must operate within the legal and political 

 framework applicable to the specific estuary under consideration. 



