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Indian Ritter Lagoon Coalition <br /> " A Call to Action " <br /> Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support, dying before our eyes . This is a <br /> call to develop a unified plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before <br /> it 's too late . <br /> The Indian River Lagoon 's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the <br /> 156 mile. long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5 <br /> counties . This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed , concerted <br /> assistance . We recognize and commend significant efforts by government, <br /> individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the <br /> lagoon and its varied habitats , increased awareness and worked to correct <br /> some of the problems . <br /> Unfortunately , continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those <br /> efforts have been insufficient . Success in turning this trend will require the <br /> leadership and financial support of federal , state, county and city <br /> governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations , corporations , <br /> small businesses and individuals . Government leadership is essential to <br /> solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements , <br /> regulate , fund , enforce , acquire land , mitigate and provide services . <br /> Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the <br /> gravity of the problem , but simultaneously can guide us towards future <br /> solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon . <br /> 1 . Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon . ( i ) . <br /> During a two year period ( 2009 - 11 ) there has been an estimated 43 % <br /> loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately 53 <br /> square miles c2> . <br /> 2 . The Lagoon contributes $ 3 . 7 billion to the coastal economy annually. (s) . <br /> Seagrass productivity contributes between $ 10- 20 , 000 annually per acre <br /> per year in economic benefit (4) . Based on seagrass losses over the last <br /> two years the economic loss is approximately $ 340 million annually ( s) . <br /> 3 . Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon . Lesions on fishes and sea turtles ,, <br /> flesh - eating fungus on . dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common , <br /> demonstrating declining habitat quality (6) . <br /> 4 . Habitat loss of seagrass beds , mangroves , oyster reefs and wetlands is <br /> affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries , as well as . bird and <br /> manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken ! <br />