Healthy Texas Estuaries: Good for Nature & People
Texas Estuaries: Biodiversity Hot Spots
Estuaries and bays support an enormous abundance and diversity of species, including fish, shellfish, sea turtles, seagrasses, shorebirds native and migrating, pelagic fish that spawn in estuaries, and phytoplankton. They also support seagrasses and native plants.
Whooping Crane: Endangered Species
Whooping Cranes, one of the most iconic and rarest species, depend upon the Texas Mid-Coast for survival. The only self-sustaining population of Whooping Cranes winters at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. In summer, the flock heads to Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, to breed. They have become one of North America's most well-known endangered species. Bringing back these cranes from the brink of extinction would not only be a significant conservation success story, but it could also provide inspiring lessons for protecting other endangered species worldwide.
Tremendous Biodiversity
Texas bays and estuaries are some of the state's most biologically productive places. Estuaries are often called the nurseries of the sea because they contain diverse plants and provide shelter, nutrient-rich food, and nesting sites for juvenile and adult animals. Many fish and invertebrate species spend their sub-adult periods in estuaries in seagrass areas or near shorelines. It is estimated that over 90% of fish caught along the Texas coast spent time in estuaries. Estuaries also provide food and protection for shore birds, small mammals, and terrestrial invertebrates like crabs.
Vital Habitat for Marine & Coastal Species
SABP is Working for the Health of Texas Mid-Coast Estuaries
Over one-third of the state’s population and over 70% of Texas industry and jobs reside within 100 miles of the coast. If you traveled along Texas’ 400 miles of coast, you would find seven estuaries comprising over 2.6 million acres, providing essential marine and coastal life biodiversity.
The Mid-Coast's three estuaries, San Antonio Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Aransas Bay, stretch over 100 miles. They are interconnected and face common pressures and threats.
San Antonio Bay-Guadalupe Estuary lies in the middle of the Mid-Coast, at the terminus of the San Antonio River and the Guadalupe River watersheds, San Antonio Bay and associated bays, including Guadalupe Bay, Espiritu Santo Bay, Hynes Bay & Ayers Bay. SABP seeks to protect, restore, and enhance the natural resources of the San Antonio Bay System for the benefit of the ecosystem and its human uses.
Become a Member
As a Member of the San Antonio Bay Partnership, you can significantly improve the health of the Texas coast, bays, and estuaries. Contact us today to learn more.
Why Texas Estuaries & Bays Matter
Biodiversity Galore!
Texas Estuaries: Biodiversity Hot Spots - Estuaries support an enormous abundance and diversity of species, including fish, shellfish, sea turtles, shorebirds, seagrasses, and phytoplankton. They also support coastal and marine plants, as well as pelagic fish that spawn in estuaries. Estuaries and associated bays are nurseries for young fish, shrimp, and small crabs to hide from predators and find food.
Fresh water and sediments from Rivers create conditions for essential wetland plants, plankton, and invertebrates. In fact, 90-95% of all commercially and recreationally important species are found in our estuaries at some stage of their life cycle!
It is estimated that there are, on average, 2.2 million anglers in Texas, and their spending amounts to $2.01 billion in retail sales and contributes to 29,800 jobs. Texas’s fishing industry relies on healthy fish populations and aquatic ecosystems.
Estuaries Support Texas's Economic Health
Texas estuaries and bays offer migrating birds a unique pathway between their breeding and wintering grounds. The coast contains large tracts of stopover habitats that attract and support millions of birds. The Texas coast is a well-known “super skyway” for migrating birds that attracts bird watchers worldwide.
Tourism for just the whooping crane alone results in over $6 million to Texas’ coastal economy. These iconic, beautiful five-foot-tall birds, over winter at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, 114,657 acres of protected marshland on San Antonio Bay.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation, including supporting activities such as construction, travel, and government spending, added $35.9 billion to Texas’ gross state product (GSP) in 2019.
Texas is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States—4.4 million wildlife watchers in Texas. Wildlife watching amounts to $1.82 billion in retail sales and supports 146,000 jobs. Travel and tourism continue to be critical to the Texas economy. In 2022, travelers to and within the state spent $91.7 billion, resulting in an economic impact of $187.5 billion.
A Place to Live & Work & Recreate
Close to 5 million people live in the 18 coastal counties. Many of San Antonio Bay Partnerships board members and hundreds of their community volunteers work/live along the Texas mid-coast.
According to Allan Berger, Chair of San Antonio Bay Partnership, “This is a great place to visit or to play at fishing, hunting, birding, boating or beachcombing. We are relatively undeveloped, As we grow, we must all recognize that our natural resources are not unlimited. We must protect our bays proactively, or we will love the place to death.