Florida’s New Coastal Corridor Links Wildlife Protection With Economic Growth

The strategy is also being positioned as an economic investment. Recreational fishing generates around $14 billion annually and supports 120,000 jobs, while artificial reef development contributes another $3.1 billion and 39,000 jobs. More than two million out-of-state anglers visit Florida each year, adding significant spending to coastal tourism.

Early projects include a new artificial reef planned about 13 miles offshore in Collier County, with additional reef initiatives underway elsewhere. Future efforts could expand into oyster restoration, living shorelines, mangrove recovery, beach erosion control, and seagrass restoration, including habitats critical to species such as manatees.

The broader goal is to move beyond scattered conservation projects toward a coordinated coastal strategy-one that protects biodiversity, strengthens resilience against storms and climate pressures, and sustains the natural assets underpinning Florida’s economy.

Coastal-corridor conservation linked to economic development is exactly the kind of nature-based infrastructure play that biodiversity-credit and impact-linked financing markets are trying to scale. Our nature-based-solutions and responsible-investment teams help clients evaluate nature-based investment opportunities and disclosure implications, particularly under TNFD and SBTN frameworks.