Travel and tourism is the largest industry, employer, and foreign-revenue earner in the United States; and beaches are the leading tourist destination.

Coastal states earn 85 percent of all U.S. tourism revenues. Miami Beach has more tourists annually than the Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks combined.

Travel and tourism is the largest and fastest growing segment of the U.S. service-industry.

About 180 million people visit our coastlines each year, and most Americans spend at least 10 days a year near a coast.

Coastal tourism is vital to the U.S. economy. Millions of people involved in recreational fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving, and other aquatic and beach activities, provide 28.3 million jobs and annually generate $54 billion in goods and services. More than 90 percent of foreign visitors to the United States visit our coasts. Coastal counties, which produce 32 percent of America's gross domestic product, have a profound impact on the economic health of the entire nation.

However, where this influx of visitors significantly adds to the nation's economy, it can also strain our nation's beaches and related natural resources. Without long-term planning, growth and development, overuse can permanently harm these important natural resources.

Government, industry, and individual citizens can support sustainable coastal development and use by ensuring that environmental integrity is maintained as coastal communities are allowed to expand physically and prosper economically.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA ) is part of the Department of Commerce. NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program works with other federal agencies and coastal states to balance the many ways people and industries use coastal areas for living, work and play. NOAA also provides services and products that support the conservation and management of coastal wildlife and living marine resources.

NOAA is the only official producer of nautical charts for U.S. waters. Recreational boaters and fishermen rely on NOAA's information to ensure their nautical activities are safe and pleasant. NOAA also issues critical weather and flood warnings and forecasts to protect us during visits to the coasts. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts weather warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Get educated and share your knowledge!

Don't drive on the beach. Beaches are fragile, and the shells, grasses and animals that beaches contain can be crushed and destroyed under the weight of vehicles.

Clean up the beach. Pick up trash, even if it's not yours, and dispose of it in trash receptacles. Recycle the containers you use at the beach. Pick up after your dog.

Don't throw plastic on the beach or in the water. Birds, marine animals and fish can die by swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic.

Never leave fishing line or hooks on the beach. Fishing line can strangle marine animals. Hooks can injure other mammals, as well as humans walking near the shoreline.

Take a vacation from the beach! If your favorite beach or coastal recreation area is always overcrowded, have fun exploring new vacation spots.

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

Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com

NOAA's National Ocean Service
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Website: www.nos.noaa.gov/ocrm

NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program
SSMC3 Room 11606
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-2431
Website: www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/