Delaware Bay Estuary

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Delaware Bay Estuary

  • Country: 
    United States of America
  • Site number: 
    559
  • Area: 
    51,252 ha
  • Designation date: 
    20-05-1992
  • Coordinates: 
    39°10'N 75°13'W
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Delaware Bay Estuary. 20/05/92; Delaware, New Jersey; 51,252 ha; 39°11'N 075°14'W. Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve, National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, Fish & Wildlife Management Area, Nature Preserve, State Park. Major estuarine system in an ecological transition zone. The site consists of more than 70 separate protected wetland areas of varying salinity supporting various marsh communities. An important staging area for over 90% of the North American populations of several migratory shorebird species. More than one million individuals use the region, making it one of the two most important staging areas on the Atlantic coast of North America. Notable flora and fauna include five species of marine turtles, the endangered eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus, and several rare or endangered plants. The crab fishery and hunting is valued at over $85.5 million per year. Ramsar site no. 559. Most recent RIS information: 1992.

Administrative region: 
Delaware,New Jersey

  • National legal designation: 
    • national wildlife refuge
  • Last publication date: 
    20-05-1992

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)