IV-155 

 SECTION 1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTUARINE ZONE 



Estuarine areas have been a key factor in the development of our 

 Nation. Long before the settlement of Plymouth, British, French, 

 and Spanish fishermen were exploring the North Atlantic fishery 

 resources including those in the Gulf of Maine and along Georges Bank. 

 The need for shore bases to support the cod fishery of the New 

 England coast was a significant factor in stimulating exploration 

 and settlement. 



After colonization of New England, the fisheries were the sustaining 

 industry that provided the economic foundation for growth and develop- 

 ment. The role of the estuarine zone in supporting the fishery opera- 

 tions was extensive: By necessity most of the inhabitants settled 

 near the natural harbors; fish was the main food staple and the main 

 export; the harbors were the focal point for incoming ships and 

 served as the only commercial centers. The resources of the sea and 

 waterborne commerce were the economic mainstay of the developing 

 Nation; much of the development of California was dependent on ships 

 sailing around the tip of Cape Horn, South America, and this develop- 

 ment of trade centered on the west coast opened up new vistas for 

 commercial activity. 



The estuaries were also the entry portal for the immigrants that 



came to this Nation looking for the land of opportunity. It is little 



