The state’s maritime industry contributes nearly $7 billion to the state’s economy, a recent survey has found.
The study, conducted by Connecticut Sea Grant, looked at seven business sectors directly related to the maritime industry in the four shoreline counties (Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London) and at the state as a whole.
It found that, statewide, the maritime industry contributed $6.83 billion to the state’s economy; the four coastal counties accounted for $5.88 billion of that amount. (For comparison, Connecticut’s gross domestic product in 2010 was $233 billion.)
The seven sectors the study looked at are (1) commercial fishing, (2) seafood preparation and packaging, (3) ship building and repairing, (4) boat building, (5) water transport, (6) scenic and sightseeing transportation, and (7) amusement and recreational activities.
Sea Grant is a national network comprised of 32 programs based at universities in coastal and Great Lake states throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
