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environment. Uses such as water supply, waste disposal, and 

 recreation are associated with civilization wherever it exists; in 

 the estuarine zone they may have different values, different emphasis, 

 or different impact on the biophysical environment. 



The great unique use of the estuarine zone, which makes it of 

 primary importance to man and his civilization, is its place in 

 the life cycle of many animals which aid in converting solar energy 

 into more usable forms. While no life form can be singled out as 

 irreplaceable, the kinds of life which need the estuarine zone 

 to survive represent essential links in the energy conversion 

 chain upon which man depends for survival. Many of the human uses 

 of the estuarine zone depend directly or indirectly on the existence 

 of the estuarine zone as a healthy habitat. 



FISHING 



The important fish species are those sought by either the sports 

 fisherman or the commercial fisherman. Practically all of the 

 sports fish species are dependent upon the estuarine zone for one 

 or more phases of their life development, and approximately 65 

 percent of all commercial fish species are estuarine-dependent. 



In 1967 United States fishermen received $438 million dollars for 

 approximately 4.06 billion pounds of commercial fish and shellfish. 

 It has been estimated that two-thirds of the total value, or 

 approximately $300 million dollars, can be considered for 



