Crisis

Aquatic Resources in Crisis

[Dying aquatic timber image] We in the Southeastern United States live in a region that has more aquatic freshwater species (62 percent of the freshwater fishes and 75 percent of the freshwater mussels) than any region of the country. The Southeast has the highest aquatic diversity in the country, more than 70 major river basins, more miles of coastal shoreline (26,000 miles), the highest economic return on recreational fishing ($17 billion in total economic output), and the bulk of the country’s wetlands important to fisheries and other aquatic organisms (45 percent of the country’s wetlands and 78 percent of the coastal marsh). Additionally, the Southeast has more licensed anglers than any other region and more than 2.2 million visits to National Wildlife Refuges in the Southeast are directly related to recreational fishing.

34 percent of North American fish species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern occur in the Southeast.
90 percent of the native mussel species designated as endangered, threatened or of special concern are found in the Southeast.
Demand for recreational and commercial fishing and aquaculture in the Southeast continues to increase.
At least 144 major dams and reservoirs have been constructed on streams and rivers in the Southeast, dramatically altering habitat, disrupting fish migration, water flows, and impacting water quality.
Aquatic habitats on National Wildlife Refuges in the Southeast managed for recreational fishing total 477 miles of rivers and streams and 411,519 acres of fresh and brackish water ponds, lakes, and impoundments.
Over 200 non native aquatic species have been introduced into the United States, with approximately one-half of these being found in the Southeast.
Human populations in the South Atlantic and Gulf states are projected to grow by 73 percent and 46 percent respectively, between 1980 and 2010. Five of the top ten most sprawling US metropolitan areas of 1 million people or more are in the Southeastern United States.
Nine Southeastern States are in the top 17 that have lost the most open space and farmland to urban sprawl during the 1990s.

The Commitment

Working cooperatively we can attain the desired goals of healthy and diverse aquatic ecosystems that support sustainable public use. To achieve this vision, the Partnership is committed to:

Protecting, restoring, and conserving aquatic resources and their habitats throughout the Southeast.
Restoration and management of healthy Southeastern aquatic resources and habitats, and encouragement of their wise use (fishing and boating).
Develop a better understanding of resource issues around the Southeast, for both the general public and resource managers.
Efficient and effective use of available human and fiscal resources.

Benefits

Healthy and diverse aquatic resources that support sustainable populations throughout the Southeast.
Increased and improved physical access to aquatic resources and other recreational activities.
Improved high quality angling opportunities at Federal water projects.
Improved water quality and quantity to meet State and Federal requirements.
A reduction of the number of imperiled fishes and other aquatics Southeast.
Establishment of fishery management plans for interjurisdictional aquatic species in the Southeast.
Increase in the number of acres and stream miles of aquatic habitat.
Prevention and control of new aquatic invasive species.