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Cultural Importance
Estuaries offer cultural importance to Americans. They are often city and trade centers, they are an important source of food, the buffer communities from storm surges, and they have a long history of cultural use by Native Americans.
To many communities, estuaries are rivers of life. Estuaries are close to cultural and population hubs like New Orleans, San Francisco and New York City. Over 50% of the U.S. population lives near the coast.
Seafood provides an important food source for the country. U.S. consumers spent an estimated $69.5 billion on fishery food products (via restaurants, carry-outs, retail sales for home consumption, etc.) in 2006. Besides fish and shellfish, many different types of kelp and algae can be eaten or used in processed foods.
Salt marsh soils and grasses buffer floods, absorb excess water and slow down storm surges. They protect and buffer coastal shores, towns and communities from ocean waves and storms.
Many Native Americans historically, and still today, rely on estuaries for their way of life. Historically, tribes traded shells (wampum) as currency. They used shells as gifts, decoration, tools and spearheads. Local clay was used for making pottery (pots, cups, plates). Coastal reeds were utilized for basket weaving, cooking, mats, and building homes. Hunting and fishing in and near estuaries occurred with hewn out log canoes, hook and lines, casting nets, hand made spears, bows and arrows depending on the seasonal variety of animals and fish. Present day tribes still rely on fishing and shellfish for food and income. |
Last Updated on: 05-24-2011
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