There's something in the water Part VIII

Throughout July and August, the Herald has reported on the importance of Long Island’s waterways in its eight-part series, “There’s something in the water.” We took on this project because the water around us is such an integral part of the Long Island experience — but we see so much of it that we sometimes lose sight of its importance to our way of life.

So what have we learned?

Water is good for the economy

In “A taste of the sea” (Aug. 18-24), the Herald wrote about restaurants that thrive on — and depend on — the Atlantic Ocean’s bounty. The many well-known seafood eateries on the South Shore wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the myriad varieties of fish that come from the ocean. Not only do these restaurants keep all of us locals spending money, but they help attract tourists to Long Island.

Our beaches are among the nation’s most beautiful, and attract thousands of visitors each year. Preserving their beauty will promote future tourism and attract more potential residents to the Island, ultimately boosting our economy. In “Stewards of the seas” (July 14-20), we wrote about being careful when we use fertilizer near the water, since runoff that reaches the ocean can cause algae and other life forms to grow out of control, creating eyesores on the beach and damaging the habitat that our aquatic wildlife needs to flourish.

From Atlantic Beach to Captree State Park, the South Shore is home to several fleets of “party boats” and charter fishing craft. Recreational fishermen and women — and their entire families — enjoy climbing aboard these vessels for a few hours of fun, and sometimes bring back dinner.

Water is necessary for our survival