What are the uses of an estuary?

Estuary is the depositories of organic nutrient-rich sediments and alluvial soils carried-in by water currents from the sea and freshwater inflow from land.

Young ones and juveniles of many of the marine fishes and crustaceans migrate to estuaries for protection (from the big marine predators). They also appear to enjoy little less salinity of the estuaries.

Estuary is source of fisheries – fishes, shrimps, crabs and molluscs, which support our lives.

Some estuaries possess the sea grass beds seaweed meadows, which have great commercial value.

Mangroves flourish on the marshy banks of the estuaries. You may visit our ‘Mangrove’ webpage to know its tremendous uses and other interesting information on them.

Estuary with exposed tidal flats and mud flats with their vegetation serves as sanctuaries for migratory and residential birds.

Estuaries support our lives with the fisheries.

• Through it we can have easy access (transportation) to the sea.
• The estuary with the beaches serves as great recreational and tourism spots – jolly boat-riding also.