but pursue birdwatching, wildlife photography, 

 and other forms of nature study. ^ * 



Many frequent coastal areas because of the 

 abundance and variety of Hfe there. By 2000, this 

 group is expected to exceed 40 million. 



All marsh species, shore birds, and the miscella- 

 neous fish-eaters have a function in coastal ecol- 

 ogy, and their presence gives added pleasure to 

 millions of visitors. 



North America is endowed with many species 

 of birds whose natural habitat is in or near the 

 water. Waterfowl were hunted in 1967 by nearly 

 two million individuals, who spent over $87 

 million on this sport. ^ ^ 



A principal role in sport fishery and wildlife 

 management is played by the National Wildlife 

 Refuge System. Activities include planning and 

 execution of a balanced wildUfe management 

 program for migratory waterfowl, upland wildlife, 

 and other forms of wildUfe on these areas; the 

 preservation of rare and endangered species; soil 

 and water conservation; and compatible outdoor 

 recreation. 



Of the 312 units in the Refuge System, 78 are 

 coastal installations^ ^ with a combined shoreline of 



Figure 6. Great concern for the wildlife and 

 its environment is shared by the dramatic voice 

 of the amateur naturalist (National Park Serv- 

 ice photo) 



more than 500 miles and an area of more than 18 

 miUion acres, of which 682,000 are estuarine. 



Twenty-four States operate coastal waterfowl 

 preserves with funds provided under the Pittman 

 Robertson Act.^" The more recent Dingell- 

 Johnson Act^' is not being significantly utilized 

 for the preservation of estuarine and marine areas 

 primarily because matching funds are unavailable. 

 Most State fish and game departments operate on 

 license revenues. Licenses are not required for 

 fishing in many coastal areas and this creates 

 reluctance to spend license revenue on marine 

 projects. 



This gap is especially acute in the South 

 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. These Acts authorize 

 the appropriation of funds collected from Federal 

 excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition and 

 on sport fishing tackle. The funds, apportioned as 

 matching grants to the respective States, are used 

 to study problems of fish and wildlife restoration 

 and management; to purchase, develop, manage 

 and administer lands and waters; to restore natural 

 habitat; and to maintain completed projects. 



Many National WildUfe Refuges are super- 

 imposed upon such other Federal projects as water 

 resource and reclamation works. Close coordina- 

 tion is required between agencies to insure that 

 lands are managed to the best interest of wildlife 

 consistent with the primary purpose of the 

 project. Joint use is possible with proper plarming. 

 The combined Assateague Island National Sea- 

 shore and Wildlife Preserve instituted by the 

 Department of Interior in 1968 is an excellent 

 example of effective joint use. 



VII. COMMERCIAL FISHING 



The 1967 U.S. commercial fishing catch at 

 dockside was approximately four biUion pounds 

 valued at $438 million.^ * Of this catch some 70 

 per cent worth $300 miUion was caught in the 

 U.S. coastal zone.^' Of the total, 24 per cent by 



2 1 



Information furnished 

 Fisheries and Wildlife. 



22 



by the Bureau of Sport 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, National 

 Survey of Fishing and Hunting. 1968. 



23 



The locations are shown in Fig. 4, Chapter 7. See also 

 the description of the activities of the Bureau of Sport 

 Fisheries and Wildlife in that chapter. 



^"•Act of September 2, 1937, as amended, 50 Stat. 917, 

 16 U.S.C. 669-6691. 



25 



Federal Fish Restoration and Management Projects 

 Act, Act of August 9, 1950, as amended, 64 Stat. 430, 16 

 U.S.C. 777-777k. 



^^Fisheries of the United States-1967, Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries Publication CFS-4700, April 1968. 



''Ibid. 



III-20 



