The Narragansett Bay is an integral part of Southern New England’s economy, supporting many industries across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Policymakers have been tasked with balancing these industries with the health of the natural environment.
The Narragansett Bay is an integral part of Southern New England’s economy, supporting many industries across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Policymakers have been tasked with balancing these industries with the health of the natural environment. In an effort to better inform policymakers and the general public about the Bay, the Coastal Institute published the Narragansett Bay Watershed Economy Report. This report discusses the largest industries that rely on the Bay, and their impacts on the economy.
Since the Bay contributes to the general economy in multiple ways, it is difficult to determine the exact monetary value that it provides. The watershed spans town and state lines, further complicating this issue. The report analyzed data from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts to determine the Bay’s complete monetary contribution to the economy. For example, the report finds that the aquaculture industry in Rhode Island has grown substantially, and that “forestry in the watershed has supported more than 5,000 jobs…generating $225 million in wages.” (ecoRI News 2019). As a whole, the watershed and the industries relying on it are contributing substantially to the economy.
The report provides a complete analysis of the Bay and how it is currently being utilized so that regulators are informed of the watershed’s economy, and can enact policies that protect the watershed. Ultimately, the report is meant to inform all stakeholders about how the Narragansett Bay Watershed is being used and how these uses impact their everyday life.