Many of the people who visit the seacoast do not have an understanding of the natural resources around them. Education can help improve people's understanding, and impact how they treat our resources. Size and scope of our natural resource-based business have changed considerably in the past 20 years. The service sector including tourism is growing. Investment is in knowledge-based economy, reshaping the regional economy.
Quality of life is variable.
Despite strong economy, there are segments with high unemployment. We are a fairly homogenous group, pockets of ethnic and cultural diversity. Efforts being made gulf-wide. International collaboration, administrative mechanisms and common agenda. A tactical decision was made to focus on the coastal marine habitat first.