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Sea Grant - Marine Extension Program
Welcome To Broward County's Marine Environment
Broward County has approximately 23 miles of coastal shoreline with adjacent marine and estuarine resources, and 300 navigable miles of canals and waterways. Nine primary canals, along with smaller secondary and tertiary canals, cut through the county to drain the surrounding land and eventually flow to the main estuarine areas, the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. Most of the shoreline is made up of award-winning "Blue Wave" beaches, while a few coastal and beachfront parks remain to preserve and restore some of the County's vanishing natural resources.
Broward County is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida with 1.7 million residents. It is projected that the county will reach build out in 2010 with coastal areas becoming key growth targets, as evidenced by the redevelopment that has already begun.
Competing with coastal development are the natural resources that depend on our shoreline for survival. Nearly 3,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles nest on Broward beaches each year. Mangrove systems in the southern part of the county form an important ecological link with the freshwater cypress and Everglades wetlands and our coastal estuaries. West Lake Park's 1,500+ acres of coastal mangrove wetlands is one of the largest urban parks in Florida. Endangered manatees are found sharing the ocean and waterways with boaters. Coral reefs lie as close as 100 yards offshore making them some of the most easily accessed reefs in the world.
Broward County's subtropical environment, coastal location and navigable waterways lend itself to being an ideal place for marine-related recreation. The County welcomes 8.2 million visitors each year and has become one of the country's top year-round travel destinations. Visitors come to enjoy the coastline and participate in water-related activities. In addition to three tracts of natural reefs that run parallel to the coastline, Broward County has created 80 artificial reefs, including 18 major ship wrecks. A 2001 socioeconomic study of reefs in southeast Florida found that reef-related expenditures generate an annual $2.1 billion in sales in Broward County, resulting in $1.1 billion in income to Broward County residents. These reefs are well known by the dive industry and rank as a top dive destination in North America by Scuba Diving dive magazine, attracting diving and fishing enthusiasts from all over the world.
Recreational boating is also big business in Broward County - 29% of Florida's gross marine sales come from Broward. The marine industry represents a total economic output of $8.8 billion in Broward County, boat registrations average 43,000 and there are approximately 100 marinas and boatyards.
Recreational fishing is especially popular in Broward County as 28,000 recreational saltwater fishing licenses were sold in 1999-2000. Broward County is also home to the International Game Fish Association which maintains world fishing records and supports the recreational fishing industry.
While these activities are important economic assets to Broward County, they also place significant pressures on the coastal resources and require us to make wise use of the delicate coastal environment that is essential for a sustainable economy and environment. Increased coastal growth equates to increased pressure on the coastal resources. The demands of the growing population must be balanced with protection of the environment to ensure environmentally sound growth.
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