toward the end of the 19th century is perhaps the single, most important 
reason why the city of Tampa transformed from a viable port city to a 
productive metropolis; moreover, the city’s development into a major 
seaport and trading center influenced the growth and development of the 
entire west coast of Florida (Mormino and Pizo 1983). 
Many of the bay-influenced industries historically important to 
the Tampa and Sarasota Bays area remain key components of the local 
economy today. An economic base analysis conducted in 1986 identified 
agriculture, boat building, commercial fishing, construction and port 
activities to be export industries, or those industries which "drive the 
local economy" (TBRPC 1986). There is much evidence that tourism played 
a major role in the local economy during the 1800’s (Pumphrey 1987). 
Since the 1950’s, however, the bays have increased in economic importance 
for a variety of reasons, principal among these being benefits accrued by 
the sanitary and electric service industries, residential waterfront 
property owners, and the recreation service industry. 
Commercial fishing and port or shipping activities are perhaps the 
most noticeable industrial uses of the two estuaries. Although 
commercial fishermen are reporting that both finfish and shellfish have 
become less abundant over the past 20 years, the industry remains 
important to the local economy. In 1984, approximately 2,000 commercial 
fishermen plied their trade in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas 
Counties, landing a total of 22.1 million pounds of finfish and 
shellfish, with an ex-vessel value of approximately $19.3 million (TBRPC 
1986). Port Tampa and Port Manatee, both located on Tampa Bay, are major 
sources of employment and income for bay area residents. In addition, it 
has been estimated that shippers and consignees that engage in commerce 
on Tampa Bay realize an annual savings in transportation related costs of 
approximately $281 million, i.e., waterborne commerce versus railroad or 
truck commerce (TBRPC 1986). 
Tampa and Sarasota Bays continue to serve as receiving water 
bodies for discharges of treated wastewater from municipal sewage 
treatment plants. This use of the bays provides a cost savings of 
approximately $238 million, when taking into consideration the 
alternative of secondary wastewater treatment and spray irrigation (TBRPC 
1986). In addition, Tampa Bay serves as a source for condenser cooling 
water and a disposal site for waste heat water from five steam electric 
power plants operated by the Florida Power Corporation and the Tampa 
Electric Company (Phillips, Mahadevan and Garrity this report). This 
results in a cost savings of between $40 and $126 million when 
considering the alternatives of constructing a closed-cycle cooling 
system and on-site cooling towers (TBRPC 1986). 
The construction industry continues to be influenced by the 
presence of both bays, as evidenced by the competition to build 
residential subdivisions, condominiums, office buildings and restaurants 
on the limited amount of land which offers a water vista. The value of 
residential waterfront property along Sarasota Bay has been estimated at 
$1.9 billion (Daltry 1988). Although a similar estimate for Tampa Bay is 
11 
