An AP article investigates increases in population along the Gulf Coast - in terms of both vacation usage and in permanent residency. The increase in population over the recent past has caused much greater pressure on fragile ecosystems all along the Gulf Shore.
Of particular concern among environmental groups is the possible effect that increased population along the Alabama Gulf Coast might have on Gulf of Mexico fisheries.
In areas where conservation efforts started in the last century, signs of recovery are apparent, according to the study, partly supported by the Lenfest Oceans Program at the Pew Charitable Trusts.
National Geographic’s July issue takes an in-depth look at threats to the coasts, illustrating its report with a ghostly two-page photo of Hurricane Katrina’s destructive blow to Dauphin Island’s west end off the Alabama coast on Aug. 29. Katrina also damaged shrimping grounds and oyster beds in its path.
The report says the Southeast’s coast — despite its agricultural runoff and a population growth of 160 percent from 1980 to 2000 — is the healthiest of the nation’s coasts. The Northeast coast, with its dense population, is in the poorest health, according to the magazine’s scorecard developed by using EPA data.
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