The importance of mangroves and why are there regulations?
Mangrove wetlands provide breeding, nursery and feeding areas for a great assemblage of life, including endangered and threatened species. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster and shrimp. Florida s recreational and commercial fisheries will drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests. Mangroves also protect our shorelines from weather erosion such as wind and storm surges from hurricanes and other storms. It has been estimated that more than 23,500 acres of mangroves have been lost through dredging and filling in Florida, primarily to develop waterfront property. Additional unknown acres of mangroves have been altered by trimming activities to obtain a view of the water. As you can see, mangroves provide many benefits to man and the marine environment. It’s up to us to ensure a place in Florida s future for one of our most valuable coastal resources — mangroves.
