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NOAA Fisheries presents:
Habitat Restoration: An Economic Engine
NOAA is proud to celebrate all of the workers
who create a healthier environment,
restore our fisheries,
and strengthen our coastal economies.
For these workers,
habitat restoration isn't just a job
it's a livelihood.
Habitat restoration creates jobs,
whether it's dismantling obsolete dams,
or restoring rivers,
wetlands,
oyster reefs and other habitat.
These projects also generate
long-term economic activity
as restored habitat leads to healthier
fish populations, improved commercial
and recreational fisheries,
and greater recreational opportunities.
You can absolutely see the correlation
between healthy runs of fish and healthy business,
especially our business which is based solely
on recreation on the river.
Because of the improvements on the habitat,
we're having a larger return of the fish
and fishing in this area is absolutely astronomical.
Habitat restoration projects employ engineers
and construction workers,
hydrologists and biologists,
surveyors and other skilled labor.
According to a recent study,
a $1 million dollar investment creates
5 oil and natural gas jobs
7 coal jobs
The same investment creates
17 habitat restoration jobs.
In Maine, NOAA contributed nearly
$21 million dollars to restore habitat
along the Penobscot River.
By removing the dams and opening up the river
to fish passage, we expect to see a boost in
fish populations such as endangered Atlantic salmon
and also river herring, which are food for cod
and other valuable commercial species.
When that happens,
we also expect a boost in long-term
economic activities.
So we think, that as the river health rebounds
we are going to see changes in the
marine environment that could actually
restore the diversity to our marine ecosystem
and that has profound economic implications.
More fish in the river, more fish in the bay,
for that matter, means more clients in my boat,
money for businesses,
people pay for lodging,
they pay for restaurants,
they pay for tackle,
they pay for going out to dinner - everything.
It's a win-win situation.
I've been quoted with saying this numerous times.
That's what it is. There's nobody losing here.
Restoration is working.
To find out about NOAA restoration projects
in your community, visit our "restoration atlas"
at www.restoration.noaa.gov
NOAA Fisheries - Ocean Media Center