The economic value of the Texas Gulf Coast

There are a number of manufacturing activities along the Gulf Coast, but the major coastal industries are oil-related such as petroleum, refining, petro-chemicals, and the prospect of a new oil boom. The economic importance of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway cannot be overestimated as tons of materials are shipped annually through all three segments of the Gulf Coast. Another important commerce sector dependent on the Gulf Coast are the commercial fisheries. The third major sector is tourism.