The Bay is a major source of seafood we eat. Industry and power companies use large volumes of water from the Bay and its watershed. The Bay is also popular for recreation. Fishing, hunting, boating, and camping provide hours of fun for millions of people. Recreation opportunities and many historical sites make this area a popular place for vacation travel.
Tourism is an important industry that also provides many jobs.
But so much use of the Bay has caused complicated environmental problems. As you learn how the Bay is a vital part of our past and our present, you will learn why it is important to protect it for the future. The bay contains 18 trillion gallons of water. It has an average depth of only 27 feet. Its deepest point is 153 feet.