Estuaries

Estuaries are areas where freshwater from rivers and streams mix with salty seawater from the ocean. They are important habitats for a variety of marine organisms and terrestrial animals. Estuaries provide spawning grounds for fish and habitat for many types of crustaceans, mollusks and other invertebrates. They are also important sites for birds to feed, nest and roost. Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems with vast biological, ecological and economic importance. They provide essential habitat for fish, shellfish and wildlife, as well as nursery grounds for many species of fish and invertebrates. Estuaries also serve as natural buffers against floods, storms, and erosion by providing sediment retention and dispersion. Estuaries are also economically important, providing recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and bird watching and serving as nurseries for commercial fishing and shellfish industries. Estuaries are essential and fragile habitats, and their conservation is critical to sustain the biodiversity and health of our coastal marine ecosystems.