Day 3: The Science of Industry

DAY 3:
THE SCIENCE OF INDUSTRY

PROJECT MISSION

The Lesson Mission is what you (the student) will be able to do after the lesson is over.
DIRECTIONS: Today, you will not write your Lesson Mission. You will do a week long project to demonstrate that you have completed the mission.

The Lesson Mission for today is: I can describe the geography and economy of the Gulf Coastal Region during and just after the Reconstruction Era and explain how different things effected the economy and culture of the region.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT

DIRECTIONS: Read today's reading about the music of the Gulf Coast Region. Then work on your magazine page. To stay on schedule, you need to read the article and create today's page by the end of the day.

THE SCIENCE OF INDUSTRY

The natural environment impacts a region's economy. As you have seen, people use the natural resources from their region to create products people can use. In the Gulf Coast Region, new railroads and the invention of artificial ice and refrigerated railcars helped them to capitalize on seafood, the major natural resource in their region.

Capitalize means to gain money by turning something that was not valuable into something valuable. There are different kinds of economies in the world. The United States has an economy called capitalism. Capitalism is a way of organizing an economy so that the things that are used to make and transport products like land, oil, factories, and ships are owned by individual people and companies rather than by the government.

For people to be successful in this type of economy, people have to have the ability to recognize opportunities to capitalize and prepare for things that might effect that opportunity. When people in a region attempt to capitalize on a natural resource in their area, they have to look at everything that effects that natural resource. These things include changes in the environment, how the thing is affected by the environment, how the thing needs to be changed in order to be used by people, what products can be made out of the thing that was processed or refined, and finally the desire of people to use it.

The Seafood Industry is affected by many different things because there are many aspects to the environment. There are several things that effect sea life environments thus impact the seafood industry. You will learn about them in this lesson. You will learn the science behind capitalism.

Coast Resources

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Coastal refers to something that is located on or near the shoreline of a large body of water, such as an ocean, gulf, or Great Lake. A resource is anything that can be used to support life, to make money, or for recreation. Therefore, a coastal resource is almost any naturally occurring item found on or near the coastline. Example of coastal resources are fish, birds, beaches, water, and wetlands.

The northern most part of the Gulf of Mexico is the southeastern border of the United States. So, the southeastern border of Texas, the southern borders of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and the western border of Florida. These borders are coastlines and these coastlines have many coastal resources that are valuable in the Seafood Industry. These are the estuaries, barrier islands, coastal wetlands, plankton, marine animals, and tides.

Many of these coastal resources are public resources that are owned by everyone. Here are the important things we get from Public Resources.

Life
Food
Transportation
Recreation
Jobs

Estuaries

An estuary is partially enclosed body of moderately salty, or brackish, water that is formed were freshwater flows into the ocean. In other words, an estuary forms where the rivers meet the sea. Estuarine waters "Ebb" (or fall) and "Flow" (or rise) during each tidal cycle.

Estuary waters are usually brownish in color because they are full of nutrients and sediments that have been washed down from the rivers that feed them. Estuaries are said to be some of the most productive habitats on Earth!

An Estuary:

Provides food for humans and other animals.
Provides protection from predators for small and young animals.
Provides recreation.
Protects the mainland from storms.
Filters pollutants from river waters.

There are two major estuaries on the Gulf Coast. These are Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay.

Mississippi Sound

The Mississippi Sound is an important coastal resource that extends from Louisiana into Alabama between the barrier islands and the mainland. The Mississippi Sound and adjacent waters are all part of a large, shallow estuarine basin.

Mobile Bay

Mobile Bay is a submerged river valley about 31 miles long and ranging from 10 to 23 miles wide. The Mobile estuary is the sixth largest drainage basin in the Continental U.S. Five major rivers empty into Mobile Bay. The Bay and Delta combined are 285,000 acres of open water.

Barrier Islands

Barrier Islands are islands created by wind and made of sand and shell that lie parallel to the coast. They may be a few hundred feet to several miles from the mainland. They have sand dunes that look like small hills of sand that the wind has pushed up into mounds. Barrier islands are really "barriers" that protect the Gulf coast from strong waves, storms, and currents of the Gulf of Mexico. These islands are also beautiful and important coastal resources.

Coastal Wetlands

A wetland is any land that is submerged, soggy, muddy, mushy, mucky, sticky, spongy, soaked, waterlogged, saturated, sodden, flooded, squishy - squashy or pretty much just wet clear through for a good part of the year.

A coastal wetland is any land that is flooded or submerged during an average high tide. Therefore, it is said to be tidally influenced. Some coastal wetlands are public resources owned by everyone. Examples include tidal saltwater and freshwater marshes, bayous, oyster reefs, mudflats, bays, and sounds.

As the tides rise and fall, nutrients are exchanged between the different types of coastal wetlands. Small, broken pieces of nutrient-rich plant and animal material, called detritus, are washed out of the marshes into nearby waterways and vice versa. These bits of food are eaten by bacteria and small animals which are, in turn, eaten by larger animals.

MARSHES

A tidal marsh is a type of marsh that is found along coasts and estuaries where flooding is determined by the tidal movement of the adjacent estuary, sea or ocean.

Tides affect the activities of plants and animals in a Tidal Marsh. Some animals feed only during a high tide and rest during a low tide. Other animals do just the opposite.

Animals that live in salt marshes have a wide variety of predators who eat them. When the tide is in, salt water organisms are preyed upon by sea animals (like fish). When the tide is out, they are preyed upon by land animals, like foxes and people. Birds (like gulls) and marine mammals (like walruses) also prey on salt marsh organisms extensively.

Marshes are one of the most important habitats on the planet! So much grass grows there that the only habitats on earth that produce more plant material per acre than marshes are rainforests!

This grass is very important for life in the ocean. When it dies, the tide carries it into the ocean where its nutrients support a variety of food chains. Many ocean animals would not be able to survive without the marsh grass food for them or the animals they eat.

Salt marshes are also safe nursery grounds for many young sea animals. The plants and grass provide food and a place to hide from predators (bigger animals that want to eat them). Almost all animals that we eat as seafood (shrimp, grouper, and flounder) depend on the salt marsh for their babies to grow. Without the salt marsh providing a safe nursery, we wouldn’t have seafood to eat.

The salt marsh grasses slow down waves, which helps control floods during hurricanes and other storms. Salt marsh mud soaks up chemicals in the water and the marsh grass catches litter. This helps the ocean to be cleaner because not as much pollution reaches it. Salt marshes are not only important to fish and crabs; they are also important to birds. Many migrating birds depend on salt marshes as a resting area and a place to eat while on their long journey.

Animals that Feed At High Tide

dolphin
shrimp
flounder
oysters

Animals that Feed At Low Tide

crabs
herons
pelicans
rail

Marshes are Homes for:

Marshes are Restaurants for:

Marshes are Nurseries For:

Many plants and animals live part or all of their lives in the shelter of the marsh.

Snails
Fiddler Crabs

Many animals go to the marsh to feed but live in other habitats.

Big fish
Birds

Many young animals are raised in the marsh.

Shrimp
Blue Crabs

Marine Animals

The most important thing in the natural environment of the Gulf Coastal Region that affects the economy is the marine life. The seafood and tourists industries rely on the marine life of the region.

Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region harvested 1.4 billion pounds of finfish bringing in $494.00 billion. The Gulf Coast region is the second-leading producer of seafood by volume and value in the United States, and its commercial fisheries support more than 89,000 jobs.

There are many types of marine animals that are caught in the Gulf of Mexico and are very important to the Gulf States' economies. Marine animals are not only caught for the seafood industry, but also as bait, as ingredients in medicines, and a variety of other products. There are three major groups of sea life that are essential for the Seafood Industry to be successful. These are plankton, invertebrates, and vertebrates.

In this section, you will learn about how these three groups affect the Gulf economy, so that you may better understand how different aspects of marine life and changes to the environment can affect the economy of a region.

PLANKTON

The word Plankton means "wanderer". Plankton are microscopic plants and animals that live in the water and drift or wander with the tides. Plankton is found in all bodies of water - lakes, ponds, ditches, rivers, streams, and oceans. Plankton is a resource too because it is food for other animals.

Phytoplankton (fi-toe-plank-ton) are microscopic, free coating aquatic plants. There are thousands of different kinds of phytoplankton. Most are tiny and can only be seen under a microscope, such as algae. They are not attached to anything and just drift or wander in the water. Phytoplankton live near the water's surface where there is light. Using light and nutrients, phytoplankton make their own food, and they make oxygen too! Much of the oxygen in the air comes from phytoplankton!

Zooplankton are free floating, often microscopic aquatic animals. There are thousands of different kinds of zooplankton. Most are tiny, like phytoplankton, but some are larger. Some animals, like the copepods, are plankton for their entire lives. Others like crab or shrimp, are planktonic for part of their lives. Like other animals zooplankton cannot make their own food - some eat plants; others eat animals. Plankton is very important because it is a critical link in the most marine food chains.

INVERTEBRATES

An invertebrate is an animal that does not have a backbone. There are many groups of invertebrates in the Gulf Of Mexico. These invertebrates play a big part in the seafood industry.

Sponges

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 124,140 pounds of sponges in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for sponges in 2012 was worth $214,728.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for sponges in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of sponges.

Eastern Oysters

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 20,594,646 pounds of Eastern Oysters in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Eastern Oysters in 2012 was worth $74,032,991.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 86% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Eastern Oysters in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 71% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Eastern Oysters.

Jellyfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 960,360 pounds of Jellyfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Jellyfish in 2012 was worth $89,133.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Jellyfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Jellyfish.

Quahog Clams

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 51,981 pounds of Quahog Clams in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Quahog Clams in 2012 was worth $339,379.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 9% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Quahog Clams in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 10% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Quahog Clams.

Brown Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 104,142,699 pounds of Brown Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Brown Shrimp in 2012 was worth $187,280,317.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 95% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Brown Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 95% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Brown Shrimp.

Pink Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 5,173,409 pounds of Pink Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Pink Shrimp in 2012 was worth $11,663,167.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 80% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Pink Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 82% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Pink Shrimp.

Rock Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 118,210 pounds of Rock Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Rock Shrimp in 2012 was worth $146,594.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 33% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Rock Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 23% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Rock Shrimp.

Royal Red Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 319,787 pounds of Royal Red Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Royal Red Shrimp in 2012 was worth $1,129,757.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 31% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Royal Red Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 46% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Royal Red Shrimp.

Seabob Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,225,930 pounds of Seabob Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Seabob Shrimp in 2012 was worth $492,379.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Seabob Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Seabob Shrimp.

White Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 104,374,206 pounds of White Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for White Shrimp in 2012 was worth $196,999,096.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 86% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for White Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 84% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of White Shrimp.

Blue Crab

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 181,103,306 pounds of Blue Crab in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Blue Crab in 2012 was worth $52,607,044.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 95% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Blue Crab in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Blue Crab.

Florida Stone Claw Crab

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 5,221,765 pounds of Florida Stone Claw Crab in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Florida Stone Claw Crab in 2012 was worth $24,025,067.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Florida Stone Claw Crab in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 98% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Florida Stone Claw Crab.

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 3,633,517 pounds of Caribbean Spiny Lobster in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Caribbean Spiny Lobster in 2012 was worth $3,125,821.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 92% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Caribbean Spiny Lobster in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 92% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Caribbean Spiny Lobster.

Marine Shrimp

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 2,737,660 pounds of Marine Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Marine Shrimp in 2012 was worth $11,628,036.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 78% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Marine Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 81% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Marine Shrimp.

Crawfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 6,815,106 pounds of Crawfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Crawfish in 2012 was worth $8,287,081.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Marine Shrimp in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Marine Shrimp.

VERTEBRATES

Amberjack

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 733,838 pounds of Amberjack in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Amberjack in 2012 was worth $862,824.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 60% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Amberjack in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 62% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Amberjack.

Buffalofish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 2,833,955 pounds of Buffalofish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Buffalofish in 2012 was worth $626,237.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 85% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Buffalofish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 73% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Buffalofish.

Blue Catfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 3,930,124 pounds of Blue Catfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Blue Catfish in 2012 was worth $1,968,915.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 62% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Blue Catfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 68% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Blue Catfish.

Flathead Catfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 250,802 pounds of Flathead Catfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Flathead Catfish in 2012 was worth $131,155.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Flathead Catfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 91% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Flathead Catfish.

Black Drum

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 5,880,058 pounds of Black Drum in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Black Drum in 2012 was worth $4,894,435.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 96% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Black Drum in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 92% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Black Drum.

Black Grouper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 88,864 pounds of Black Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Black Grouper in 2012 was worth $321,427.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 87% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Black Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 86% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Black Grouper.

Red Grouper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 6,141,974 pounds of Red Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Red Grouper in 2012 was worth $16,738,609.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 98% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Red Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Red Grouper.

Yellowedge Grouper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 792,726 pounds of Yellowedge Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowedge Grouper in 2012 was worth $2,946,278.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99.7% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowedge Grouper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 99.7% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Yellowedge Grouper.

Atlantic Thread Herring

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,703,657 pounds of Atlantic Thread Herring in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Atlantic Thread Herring in 2012 was worth $234,255.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99.7% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Atlantic Thread Herring in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 98% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Atlantic Thread Herring.

Bar Jack

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 85,400 pounds of Bar Jack in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Bar Jack in 2012 was worth $81,810.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Bar Jack in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 99% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Bar Jack.

Ladyfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,110,481 pounds of Ladyfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Ladyfish in 2012 was worth $827,316.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Ladyfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 98% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Ladyfish.

Lionfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 9,986 pounds of Lionfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Lionfish in 2012 was worth $47,818.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 88% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Lionfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 89% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Lionfish.

King Mackerel

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,106,173 pounds of King Mackerel in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for King Mackerel in 2012 was worth $1,732,650.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99.9% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for King Mackerel in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 99.9% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of King Mackerel.

Spanish Mackerel

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,694,845 pounds of Spanish Mackerel in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Spanish Mackerel in 2012 was worth $1,420,564.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 32% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Spanish Mackerel in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 27% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Spanish Mackerel.

Menhaden

Humans Use It:

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 915,581,400 pounds of Menhaden in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Menhaden in 2012 was worth $67,390,998.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 65% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Menhaden in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 63% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Menhaden.

Mojarras

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 118,993 pounds of Mojarras in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Mojarras in 2012 was worth $126,554.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 44% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Mojarras in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 32% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Mojarras.

Striped Mullet

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 10,611,455 pounds of Striped Mullet in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Striped Mullet in 2012 was worth $7,292,261.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 85% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Striped Mullet in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 79% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Striped Mullet.

Pinfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 30, 825 pounds of Pinfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Pinfish in 2012 was worth $117, 670.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 67% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Pinfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 76% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Pinfish.

Red Porgy

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 389,444 pounds of Red Porgy in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Red Porgy in 2012 was worth $483,421.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 71% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Red Porgy in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 62% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Red Porgy.

Spanish Sardine

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 960,236 pounds of Spanish Sardines in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Spanish Sardines in 2012 was worth $147,775.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Spanish Sardines in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 96% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Spanish Sardines.

Scads

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 230,943 pounds of Scads in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Scads in 2012 was worth $166,087.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Scads in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Scads.

Scups

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 287,040 pounds of Scups in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Scups in 2012 was worth $328,302.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Scups in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 97% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Scups.

Black Sea Bass

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 644,322 pounds of Black Sea Bass in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Black Sea Bass in 2012 was worth $664,133.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 25% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Black Sea Bass in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 9% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Black Sea Bass.

Rock Sea Bass

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 57,979 pounds of Rock Sea Bass in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Rock Sea Bass in 2012 was worth $56,954.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99.9% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Rock Sea Bass in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 99.9% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Rock Sea Bass.

Sand Seatrout

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 60,180 pounds of Sand Seatrout in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Sand Seatrout in 2012 was worth $50,462.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 94% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Sand Seatrout in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 85% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Sand Seatrout.

Sharks

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 866,488 pounds of Shark in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Shark in 2012 was worth $980,535.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 86% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Shark in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 76% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Shark.

Sheepshead

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,056,382 pounds of Sheepshead in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Sheepshead in 2012 was worth $544,954.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 81% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Sheepshead in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 68% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Sheepshead.

Black Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 6,521 pounds of Black Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Black Snapper in 2012 was worth $16,678.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Black Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 100% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Black Snapper.

Gray Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 261,186 pounds of Gray Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Gray Snapper in 2012 was worth $598,474.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 88% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Gray Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 86% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Gray Snapper.

Mutton Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 134,173 pounds of Mutton Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Mutton Snapper in 2012 was worth $328,424.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 81% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Mutton Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 79% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Mutton Snapper.

Red Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 4,043,965 pounds of Red Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Red Snapper in 2012 was worth $13,689,451.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 99.8% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Red Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 99.8% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Red Snapper.

Vermilion Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 2,443,908 pounds of Vermilion Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Vermilion Snapper in 2012 was worth $6,586,834.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 71% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Vermilion Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 68% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Vermilion Snapper.

Yellowtail Snapper

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,903,395 pounds of Yellowtail Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowtail Snapper in 2012 was worth $5,480,582.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 92% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowtail Snapper in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 91% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Yellowtail Snapper.

Swordfish

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 1,254,730 pounds of Swordfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Swordfish in 2012 was worth $3,156,904.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 14% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Swordfish in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 12% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Swordfish.

Tilapia

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 155,321 pounds of Tilapia in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Tilapia in 2012 was worth $90,629.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 88% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Tilapia in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 84% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Tilapia.

Blackfin Tuna

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 24,179 pounds of Blackfin Tuna in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Blackfin Tuna in 2012 was worth $23,974.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 42% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Tilapia in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 38% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Tilapia.

Little Tunny Tuna

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 165,624 pounds of Little Tunny Tuna in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Little Tunny Tuna in 2012 was worth $62,467.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 24% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Little Tunny Tuna in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 21% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Little Tunny Tuna.

Yellowfin Tuna

Economy:

The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 2,740,872 pounds of Yellowfin Tuna in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowfin Tuna in 2012 was worth $10,110,427.
The Gulf of Mexico's Fishing Industry brought in 33% of the total National Fishing Industry's catch for Yellowfin Tuna in 2012.
The Gulf of Mexico made 33% of the total National Fishing Industry's sales of Yellowfin Tuna.

ENVIRONMENT & ECONOMY

This next section covers the things that affect the marine life in the Gulf and how those things affect the Gulf's Economy.

Click on the picture to the left to go to kidsgeo.com and learn about water environments, all the things that affect water environments, and how water environments affect other things in the environment.

Tides

As the moon revolves around the earth, gravity pulls the ocean water on the near side of the earth towards it, making a bulge. Because of centrifugal force (like water in a spinning bucket), the water on the opposite side of the earth makes another bulge. These bulges draw water from other parts of the oceans creating two dips. These bulges and dips eventually reach land as high and low tides.

Tides are not the same everywhere on the earth and they change daily. A high tide one day will arrive approximately 50 minutes after it did the day before. Most areas have two tide cycles a day, but the Gulf only has one. So there is a low tide in the morning and a high tide at night. The difference between high tide and low tide is usually a few feet, but it can vary from just a few inches to well over 40 feet!

Currents

Ocean Currents

An ocean current is a continuous flow of water in the ocean. Some currents are surface currents while other currents are much deeper flowing hundreds of feet below the surface of the water.

What causes ocean currents?

Surface currents are usually caused by the wind. As the wind changes, the current may change as well. Currents are also influenced by the rotation of the Earth called the Coriolis effect. This causes currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Deep ocean currents are caused by a number of things including changes in the temperature, salinity (how salty the water is), and density of the water.

One other factor impacting ocean currents is the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.

Do Currents Impact the Climate?

Ocean currents can have a significant impact on climate. In some areas warm water is moved from the equator to a colder region causing the region to be warmer.

One example of this is the Gulfstream current. It pulls warm water from the equator to the coast of Western Europe. As a result, areas such as the United Kingdom are typically much warmer than areas at the same northern latitude in North America.

Seasons

The seasons affect the seafood industry because different marine animals spawn in different seasons. Marine life may also change their behavior in hot and cold wether causing them to feed more or less in different seasons. The seasons also produce different weather and change the behavior of the tides.

Spring

On land, plants bud and blossom in the spring; in the ocean, marine plants bloom too. Just like land animals, many fish and marine animals are born or hatch in the spring when plants and food are plentiful. These births signal a time of feasting so important that humpback whales travel thousands of miles to dine on the newly hatched fish and blooms of plankton.

Summer

During the summer, insects swarm on land and marine plants (phytoplankton) and invertebrates float on the sea’s surface. Near the shore, dense tangles of kelp and other seaweeds create undersea forests. Some small fish lay their eggs on these sea plants. Herring and other small forage fish swim away from the shore and become important food for whales.

Fall

Autumn winds blow leaves from trees on land. In the ocean, powerful winds whip the waves that tear leaves and entire plants from the sea floor. Tangles of these plants float like small islands, offering birds, and even seals, a resting place at sea. The seaweed tangles also wash onto beaches, creating another important food source for small marine life.

Winter

Winter brings colder weather to land and the ocean. In some areas, rain turns to snow and ice might line the ocean shore. In other areas, it gets cold but not enough to snow. Some animals migrate or move to warmer areas in the winter. What are some other animals that migrate? What are some other ways that animals protect themselves from the colder weather?

Weather and Disasters

The Sun

The sun is the largest body in our solar system and some would say exerts the greatest influence in our daily lives, as well as that of wildlife. The primary solar periods that are factored in Weather and Wildlife charts are dawn, dusk, midday and midnight. Each of these periods is determined based on the exact time of sunrise and sunset for that specific location and date.

The sun has its greatest influence when it is at its zenith or most directly overhead. That point occurs around June 21st each year in the northern hemisphere. Even though the solar influence on wildlife within each day is significant, the day-to-day and even the week-to-week change resulting from this solar influence is incremental and not very noticeable.

The Moon

The moon is also a large factor in the day-to-day lives of people as well as wildlife. Some of the lunar influences are obvious while some are not. The most obvious and measurable affects of the moon on the earth are seen with tides. The gravitational force of the moon is one of the primary influences in the rise and fall of tides. The period that the moon exerts its greatest influence at any specific location on earth is based on the relative position of the moon, the distance the moon is from the earth, and the angle of the moon above a certain location at that specific time.

Most evidence and conventional wisdom indicate that the periods of greatest lunar influence on wildlife are when the moon is most directly overhead and then again when it is most directly underfoot (opposite side of the earth). These two positions are usually referred to as "major" activity periods or in other charts as "excellent" activity periods. There are two other daily periods of lunar influence that occur halfway between the overhead and underfoot positions, and they are usually called "minor" or "good" activity periods.

When the moon is at perigee (closest to earth) all other lunar influences are magnified. This is also the case when the moon is at its highest declination or so called high moon. The moon phase has also been shown to indicate, if not directly cause, certain heightened periods of activity.

Click on the picture to the right to learn more.

Weather

Weather is the single most significant factor that affects wildlife activity. Every one that has spent time fishing knows that changing barometric pressure or frontal activity can bring fishing activity to a halt even in peak activity times. Weather and Wildlife Charts are based on steady fair weather. Changing weather may result in activity levels less than what is shown in the chart. It is also true that knowing when weather will stabilize is equally important to predicting heightened feeding activity.

Weather can also affect certain water depths, water temperature, the salinity, and clarity. These things would all have a different impact on marine life in different areas.

Natural disasters such as tropical storms and hurricanes also affect marine environments. Displacement of marine life and destruction to habitats are a few problems caused by these storms. Fish and other marine life can be swept to other places, depleting commercial fishermen of their catch. It can be beneficial for some areas. When marine life is churned up and moved around, places that had experienced a lull in catches, may all of a sudden have an abundance.

To learn more about how weather affects the environment and economy link on the links below.

Overfishing

Click on the link to the right to learn more about the overfishing in the Gulf.

Pollution

Pollution affects the marine life and disrupts the food cycle. To learn more click on the links below.