Salt marshes, wetlands and coral reefs are nursery habitats for fish, shrimp, crab and other ocean shellfish.

Wetlands naturally filter and cleanse the water flowing from rivers and streams into the ocean. Estuaries -- where the ocean tide meets a river current -- depend on wetlands to maintain water quality.

Commercial and recreational fisheries support more than 1.3 million jobs, and in 1995 added more than $20 billion to the gross domestic product.

Fish and marine wildlife habitats are harmed by long-term releases of pollution, short-term oil and chemical spills, and physical destruction, such as ship groundings.

Reefs and estuaries sustain 75 percent of all commercial fish and shellfish during some point in their life cycles. When these marine habitats are destroyed or injured, fish and other sea creatures cannot spawn, hatch and mature. The result is depleted or contaminated seafood meant for consumption by both humans and marine life.

Long-term releases of pollution into our watersheds, rivers, streams and estuaries can cause harmful algal blooms or low oxygen conditions that degrade or kill fish and marine habitat. The direct effect is that fish may be diseased, damaged or depleted; seafood prices may fluctuate; and recreational and commercial fishing -- a large part of our nation's economy -- may be threatened.

Injured or destroyed marine habitat may indirectly upset the ecological balance and the world's food chain. For example, species of birds and marine mammals that feed on contaminated fish and shellfish may become ill or diseased and continue to spread the problem throughout the food chain. Other marine habitats, such as reefs, that are damaged or destroyed would also attract fewer tourists, influencing the nation's $54 billion annual tourism trade.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce, is responsible for managing and sustaining most living marine resources and their habitats in U.S. waters, including endangered marine and coastal mammals.

NOAA's Damage Assessment and Restoration Program restores coastal areas and marine resources harmed by oil or hazardous substances, spills and ship groundings. This program also obtains compensation from responsible parties for the public's lost use and enjoyment of these resources.

Get educated and share your knowledge!

Follow regulations that limit the type, size and amount of fish you can catch.

Don't pollute. Never throw trash, human waste, or plastic bags into the ocean. Fish, sea turtles and marine mammals mistake plastic for food sources, with lethal consequences. Don't misuse chemicals and fertilizers.

Don't disturb or remove sea life. Unauthorized taking of coral reef, shells and other marine plants and organisms upsets the balance and health of the ecosystem.

Limit the use of boats and vehicles to approved areas, and obey speed limits. Swim where it is safe for you and the environment.

Volunteer for beach clean-ups and wetland restorations.

Participate in community natural resources planning efforts. Get involved in protecting essential fish habitat.

Year of the Ocean Information Line: 1-888-4YOTO98

Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com

National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Habitat Conservation
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226
Website: www.nmfs.gov/rschreib/habitat.html

National Ocean Service
Damage Assessment and Restoration Program
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 22125
Website: www-orca.nos.noaa.gov/darp/index.html