Maine's coastal wetlands are one of
the most important environments to the people of Maine.
In fact, 540,000 people or 43% of the population of Maine
live in the 144 coastal towns of Maine that make up only
12% of the area of the state.
Maine's coastal wetlands support a multi-million
dollar commercial and recreational lobster, clam, and
fishing industry. Shoreline areas are the primary attraction
to visitors and have become the single most important
resource for the tourism and recreational industry in
Maine.
With a total of 145,069 acres of intertidal
habitat in Maine, mud flats are the most common covering
44%, rocky shores are second at 25%, 14% are salt marsh,
with sand and boulder beaches comprising the fourth type.
