• Many commercial fishery species rely on seagrass habitat during some part of their life cycles including pink shrimp, lobster, red fish, and stone crab.
• Seagrass habitat helps to support a thriving, multi-million dollar recreational fishery including flats fishing for bonefish and tarpon.
• The estimated total value for Monroe County in 1998 for seven seagrass dependent species added up to about $53.5 million.
• More than 70% of Florida's recreational and commercial fish, crustaceans, and shellfish spend part of their lives in shallow water estuaries.

• Estimated value of the pink shrimp industry in Monroe County is $13 million.
• Annual value of the stone crab fishery in Monroe County is estimated at $17 million.
• The spiny lobster fishery in Monroe County is $19 million.
• Snapper, including yellowtail and gray, bring in $3.1 million annually to Monroe County.
• Over 30 species of tropical invertebrates dependent on seagrass habitats are collected in the Florida Keys for the marine collection industry yearly.
• Over $200 million is spent yearly in Monroe County in the viewing of nature and wildlife.

SEAGRASS........IT'S ALIVE!!