How Healthy is the Estuary?

The Morro Bay Estuary consists of 2,300 acres of sheltered waters, tidal marshes, mudflats and seagrass beds not seen again for hundreds of miles up and down the coast. It is home to endangered species, a nursery ground for fish and a critical resting and feeding stop for migratory birds. While the estuary is rich with natural resources, is this ecosystem healthy? Morro Bay’s ability to support these ecological and social uses, both now and into the future, hinges on its environmental health.  

Measuring the health of the estuary is a challenging task. The bay is a complex ecosystem with many influences from both land and ocean. Examining the key environmental indicators helps gauge the overall health of the system.
Estuary Tidings 2010, a newly published report on the health of the estuary, examines eight of these key indicators in detail. A summary version provides a snapshot look at these indicators.

Watch the May 6 Tribune for the insert of Estuary Tidings Summary. The Summary is also available at the Estuary Program offices.

The 24-page Estuary Tidings 2010 will be available at the State of the Bay Conference, May 14 and 15 at the Morro Bay Community Center, and at the Estuary Program offices and online at www.mbnep.org after May 15.