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Coastal Economies & Recreation
Coastal Economies
The Marine Advisory Program works directly with the multi-faceted marine trades sector and the local governments that support strong coastal communities. Sea Grant has undertaken several initiatives to shore up the economic strength of the towns and counties overseeing Virginia’s coastline.
Initiatives to equitize the personal property taxes paid by recreational boaters, provide matching funds for expanded infrastructure among marinas, and strengthen the local tax base are among the projects funded by Virginia Sea Grant over the past five years. Virtually every face of the marine trades world has been touched by Sea Grant involvement: the charter boat captain, the diesel mechanic, the commercial waterman, the B&B operator.
Recreation
Americans continue to flock to the coast, changing the character of many shoreline activities today. While seafood harvesting and processing remain strong in Virginia, commerce in the coastal zone often takes the form of water-based recreation – as more and more Americans take up boating and paddling, surf-fishing and birdwatching. Through its ripple effects, the recreational fishing industry alone accounts for several billion dollars of revenue to the state’s economy, according to VIMS economists. Recognizing this broad base of marine users, Sea Grant continues a long tradition of working along the waterfront – with recreational anglers and with towns and cities hosting maritime festivals.
Programs of Interest
Follow these links to learn more about our work in Virginia’s coastal communities or to apply for assistance through one of the many grant opportunities available:
Economic Analyses:
- Local Governments
- Marine Trades
Small Grants:
- Fishery Resource Grant Program
- Boating Infrastructure Grant Program
Charterboat Industry
Gamefish Tagging
Catch & Release
Tourism:
- Maritime Festivals
- Coastal Blueways
Clean Marina Program |
