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Final Environmental Impact Statement

for the

Generic Essential Fish Habitat Amendment to the following fishery management plans of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM):

SHRIMP FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO RED DRUM FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO STONE CRAB FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
CORAL AND CORAL REEF FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND
SOUTH ATLANTIC

VOLUME 1: TEXT

March 2004

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Commons at Rivergate
3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000
Tampa, Florida 33619-2266

Tel: 813-228-2815 (toll-free 888-833-1844), FAX: 813-225-7015
E-mail: [email protected]

This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17FC1052.

COVER SHEET
Environmental Impact Statement for the Generic Essential Fish Habitat Amendment to the fishery management plans of the Gulf of Mexico

  • Draft ()
  • Final (X)

  • Type of Action:
  • Administrative (x)
  • Legislative ( )

Area of Potential Impact: Areas of tidally influenced waters and substrates of the Gulf of Mexico and its estuaries in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida extending out to the limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

  • Agency:
  • HQ Contact:
  • Region Contacts:

  • David Dale
  • U.S. Department of Commerce

NOAA Fisheries
Steve Kokkinakis NOAA-Strategic Planning (N/SP) (727)570-5317
Southeast Region 9721 Executive Center Dr. N Suite 201
Building SSMC3, Rm. 15532 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282
David Keys
(727)570-5301

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

ABSTRACT
This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzes within each fishery a range of potential alternatives to: (1) describe and identify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for the fishery, (2) identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement such EFH, and (3) identify measures to minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on such EFH. The EIS contains the scientific methodology and data used in the analyses, background information on the physical, biological, human, and administrative environments, and a description of the fishing and non-fishing threats to EFH.

Additional copies of this EIS may be obtained by contacting the Regional Contacts (above) or at the address below.

Roy E. Crabtree, Ph.D. Regional Administrator NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region 9721 Executive Center Drive North St. Petersburg, Florida

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ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

  • ABC
  • acceptable biological catch

ADCNR, MRD Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine
Resources Division

  • AFS
  • American Fisheries Society

ALARM AP
Automated Landings Assessment for Responsive Management advisory panel
ASAP ATCA BRD CAGEAN CCA CFD
Age Structured Assessment Program Atlantic Tuna Convention Act bycatch reduction device Catch at age analysis Coastal Conservation Association Coastal Fisheries Division
CMC ComFIN Council CPUE CZMA DEIS DOC DOI
Center for Marine Conservation (now Ocean Conservancy) Commercial Fisheries Information Network Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council catch per unit effort Coastal Zone Management Act draft environmental impact statement U. S. Department of Commerce Department of Interior

  • EA
  • environmental assessment

  • EEC
  • European Economic Community

  • EEZ
  • Exclusive Economic Zone

  • EFH
  • Essential Fish Habitat

EIS E.O.
Environmental Impact Statement Executive Order

  • EPA
  • Environmental Protection Agency

  • ESA
  • Endangered Species Act

  • F
  • instantaneous fishing mortality rate

Federal Advisory Committee Act fishery conservation zone (is now called EEZ) Florida Department of Environmental Protection Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary fork length
FACA FCZ FDEP FERC FFWCC FKNMS FL

  • FAO
  • Food and Agriculture Organization

  • FMP
  • fishery management plan

FMRI FTTS GAFF GIS
Florida Marine Research Institute Florida Trip Ticket System Gulfwide Association of Finfish Fishermen Geographical Information System

  • general linear model
  • GLM

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GMFMC GOM GSA GSAFF GSMFC HAPC HMS
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Gulf of Mexico General Services Administration Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Habitat Areas of Particular Concern Highly Migratory Species

  • HRP
  • Habitat Research Plan

  • HSI
  • Habitat Suitability Index

  • HSM
  • Habitat Suitability Model

ICCAT IFQ
International Commission on Conservation of Atlantic Tunas Individual Fishing Quotas

  • IVR
  • Inter-active Voice Recognition

  • IRFA
  • initial regulatory flexibility analysis

  • ITQ
  • individual transferable quota

KWCBA LDWF LOA
Key West Charterboatmen’s Association Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries length overall
LEAP M
Law Enforcement Advisory Panel instantaneous natural mortality rate Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Marine Fisheries Initiative Monroe County Commercial Fishermen, Incorporated Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold Marine Managed Area
MAFAC MAFMC MARFIN MCCF MDMR MFMT MMA

  • MMS
  • Minerals Management Service

  • MP
  • million pounds

  • MPA
  • Marine Protected Area

MRFSS M-S Act
Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MagnusonStevens Act)
MSAP MSST MSY
Mackerel Stock Assessment Panel Minimum Stock Size Threshold maximum sustainable yield
MYPR NESDIS NEPA NGDC NMFS NOAA NODC NOS maximum yield per recruit National Environmental, Satellite, Data and Information Service National Environmental Policy Act National Geophysical Data Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanographic Data Center National Ocean Service
NPDES OC
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Ocean Conservancy (formerly CMC)

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OFF OMB OY
Organized Fishermen of Florida Office of Management and Budget optimum yield

  • PDF
  • Portable Document Format

  • ppt
  • parts per thousand (salinity)

RA RecFIN RFA
Regional Administrator of NMFS Recreational Fisheries Information Network Regulatory Flexibility Act

  • RIR
  • regulatory impact review

RSW SAFMC SAP running sea water system South Atlantic Fishery Management Council stock assessment panel
SASI SAV SBA SCRS SEAMAP SFA SEFSC SEIS SEP
Save America’s Seafood Industry Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Small Business Administration Standing Committee on Research and Statistics Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program Southeastern Fisheries Association Southeast Fisheries Science Center of NMFS supplemental environmental impact statement Socioeconomic Panel

  • SERO
  • Southeast Regional Office (NMFS)

  • SFA
  • Sustainable Fisheries Act

SMZ SOFA SOPPs SPL special management zone Southern Offshore Fishermen’s Association Statement of Organization Practices and Procedures saltwater products license (FL)

  • spawning potential ratio
  • SPR

SSB/R SSC TAC spawning stock biomass per recruit Scientific and Statistical Committee total allowable catch

  • TED
  • turtle excluder device

  • TIP
  • trip interview program

  • TL
  • total length

TNRIS TPWD TSA
Texas Natural Resources Information Network Texas Parks and Wildlife Division Texas Shrimp Association
USFWS USGS VMS VPA WDC/MGG YPR
United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Geological Survey Vessel Monitoring System virtual population analysis World Data Center/Marine Geology and Geophysics yield per recruit

  • Z
  • instantaneous total mortality rate

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GLOSSARY

ALGAE - A collective, or general name, applied to a number of primarily aquatic, photosynthetic groups (taxa) of plants and plant_like protists. They range in size from single cells to large, multicellular forms like the giant kelps. They are the foodbase for almost all marine animals. Important taxa are the dinoflagellates (division Pyrrophyta), diatoms (div., Chrysophyta), green algae (div. Chlorophyta), brown algae (div. Phaeophyta), and red algae (div. Rhodophyta). Cyanobacteria are often called blue-green algae, although blue-green bacteria is a preferable term.

ANTHROPOGENIC - Refers to the effects of human activities. BATHYMETRIC-A depth measurement. Also refers to a migration from waters of one depth to another.

BENTHIC-Pertaining to the bottom of an ocean, lake, or river. Also refers to sessile and crawling animals which reside in or on the bottom.

BIOGENIC-Features built by or consisting of liviving organisms. BIOMASS-The total mass of living tissues (wet or dried) of an organism or collection or organisms of a species or trophic level, from a defined area or volume.

CALCAREOUS-Composed of calcium or calcium carbonate. CONTINENTAL SHELF-The submerged continental land mass, not usually deeper than 200 m. The shelf may extend from a few miles off the coastline to several hundred miles.

CONTINENTAL SLOPE-The steeply sloping seabed that connects the continental shelf and continental rise.

CORAL REEF-Coral communities exist under a variety of water depths, bottom types, water quality, wave energy and currents. Well-developed active coral reefs usually occur in tropical and subtropical waters of low turbidity, low terrestrial runoff, and low levels of suspended sediment. Some of the best developed reefs in Puerto Rico are those which receive the lowest levels of terrigenous inputs (Turgeon et al. 2002). The percentage of live coral cover generally increases with distance from shore. Corals may occur scattered in patches attached to hard substrates. Corals in the Caribbean are formed by the major reef-building (hermatypic) coral

genera Acropora, Montastrea, Porites, Diploria, Siderastrea and Agaricia (Tetra Tech, 1992).

CRUSTACEA-A large class of over 26,000 species of mostly aquatic arthropods having five pairs of head appendages, including laterally opposed jaw_like mandibles and two pairs of antennae.

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DEMERSAL-Refers to swimming animals that live near the bottom of an ocean, river, or lake. Often refers to eggs that are denser than water and sink to the bottom after being laid.

DISTRIBUTION-1) A species distribution is the spatial pattern of its population or populations over its geographic range. See RANGE. (2) A population age distribution is the proportions of individuals in various age classes. (4) Within a population, individuals may be distributed evenly, randomly, or in groups throughout suitable habitat.

ECOSYSTEM ENGINEER-Organisms that build biogenic structure or modify subtrates in or on which they live.

ESCARPMENT-A steep slope in topography, as in a cliff or along the continental slope. ESTUARY-A semi-enclosed body of water with an openconnection to the sea. Typically there is a mixing of sea and fresh water, and the influx of nutrients form both sources results in high productivity.

FOOD WEB (CHAIN)-The feeding relationships of several to many species within a community in a given area during a particular time period. Two broad types are recognized: (1) grazing webs involving producers (e.g., algae), herbivores (e.g., copepods), and various combinations of carnivores and omnivores; and, (2) detritus webs involving scavengers, detritivores, and decomposers that feed on the dead remains or organisms from the grazing webs, as well as on their own dead. A food chain refers to organisms on different trophic levels, while a food web refers to a network of interconnected food chains. See TROPHIC LEVEL.

FRINGING REEFS-Emergent reefs extending directly from shore and often extensions of headlands or points, or separated from the shore by an open lagoon.

HABITAT - The particular type of place where an organism lives within a more extensive area or range. The habitat is characterized by its biological components and/or physical features (e.g., sandy bottom of the littoral zone, or on kept blades within 10 m of the water surface).

HABITAT SUITABILITY INDEX - (HSI) An index of the suitability of one or more habitat characteristics (e.g. depth, substrate) for a species. HSIs are used in habitat suitability models.

HABITAT SUITABILITY MODEL - Habitat suitability modeling (HSM) is a tool for predicting the quality or suitability of habitat for a given species based on known affinities with habitat characteristics, such as depth and substrate type. This information is combined with maps of those same habitat characteristics to produce maps of expected distributions of species and life stages.

HABITAT USE DATABASE – The relational database of habitat preferences and functional relationships between fish species and their habitat created for the EFH analysis.

HERBIVORE-An animal that feeds on plants (phytoplankton, large algae, or higher plants).

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INSULAR-Of or pertaining to an island or its characteristics (i.e., isolated). INTERTIDAL-The ocean of estuarine shore zone exposed between high and low tides. ISOBATH-A contour mapping line that indicates a specified constant depth. ISOTHERM-A contour line connecting points of equal mean temperature for a given sampling period.

LAGOON-A shallow pond or channel linked to the ocean, but often separated by a reef or sandbar.

LARVAE-An early developmental stage of an organism that is morphologically different from the juvenile or adult form.

LITTORAL-The shore area between the mean low and high tide levels. Water zones in this area include the littoral pelagic zone and the littoral benthic zone.

LIVE-ROCK-Live-Rock or Live-bottom is a special term used by aquarists and the marine aquarium industry to describe hard substrate colonized by sessile marine invertebrates and plants (Wheaton 1989).

NERITIC-An oceanic zone extending from the mean low tide level to the edge of the continental shelf.

NICHE-The fundamental niche is the full range of abiotic and biotic factors under which a species can live and reproduce. The realized niche is the set of actual conditions under which a species or a population of a species exists, and is largely determined by interactions with other species.

OCEANIC-Living in or produced by the ocean. PATCH REEFS-Small irregular shaped reefs that rise from the bottom and are separated from other reef sections. Patch reefs are diverse coral communities typified by the presence of hermatypic (reef-building) and ahermatypic species. Typically, patch reefs form on coralline rock or another suitable substrate such as coral rubble (Marszalek, et al. 1977).

PELAGIC-Pertaining to the water column, or to organisms that live in the water column. PISCIVOROUS-Refers to a carnivorous animal that eats fish. PRECAUTIONARY-The precautionary approach involves the application of prudent foresight. Taking account of the uncertainties in fisheries systems and the need to take action with incomplete knowledge, it requires, inter alia: consideration of the needs of future generations and avoidance of changes that are not potentially reversible; prior identification of undesirable outcomes and of measures that will avoid them or correct them promptly; that any necessary

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corrective measures are initiated without delay, and that they should achieve their purpose promptly, on a timescale not exceeding two or three decades; that where the likely impact of resource use is uncertain, priority should be given to conserving the productive capacity of the resource; that harvesting and processing capacity should be commensurate with estimated sustainable levels of resource, and that increases in capacity should be further contained when resource productivity is highly uncertain; all fishing activities must have prior management authorization and be subject to periodic review; an established legal and institutional framework for fishery management, within which management plans that implement the above points are instituted for each fishery, and appropriate placement of the burden of proof by adhering to the requirements above.

PRODUCTION-Gross primary production is the amount of light energy converted to chemical energy in the form of organic compounds by autotrophs like algae. The amount left after respiration is net primary production and is usually expressed as biomass or calories/unit area/unit time. Net production for herbivores and carnivores is based on the same concept, except that chemical energy from food, not light, is used and partially stored for life processes. Efficiency of energy transfers between trophic levels ranges from 10_65% (depending on the organism and trophic level). Organisms at high trophic levels have only a fraction of the energy available to them that was stored in plant biomass. After respiration loss, net production goes into growth and reproduction, and some is passed to the next trophic level. See FOOD WEB and TROPHIC LEVEL.

RANGE-(1) The geographic range is the entire area where a species is known to occur or to have occurred (historical range). The range of a species may be continuous, or it may have unoccupied gaps between populations (discontinuous distribution). (2) Some populations, or the entire species, may have different seasonal ranges, These may be overlapping, or they may be widely separated with intervening areas that are at most briefly occupied during passage on relatively narrow migration routes. (3) Home range refers to the local area that an individual or group uses for a long period of life.

REEF FISH-Fish species that live on or near coral reef or hard bottom with biogenic structure. RISK AVERSE-Philosophy or measures intended to minimize likely adverse impacts or proposed activities.

SETTLEMENT-The act of or state of making a permanent residency. Often refers to the period when fish and invertebrate larvae change from a planktonic to a benthic existence.

SOLITARY CORALS-Individual coral colonies found in bottom communities where corals are a minor component of biotic diversity. Although these solitary corals contribute benthic relief and habitat to communities throughout the fishery conservation zone, they apparently comprise a minor percentage of the total coral stocks in the management area.

SPAWN-The release of eggs and sperm during mating. Also, the bearing of offspring by species with internal fertilization.

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SPECIES-(1) A fundamental taxonomic group ranking after a genus. (2) A group of organisms recognized as distinct from other groups, whose members can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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  • Copper Shoals Red Drum Sciaenops Ocellatus

    Copper Shoals Red Drum Sciaenops Ocellatus

    Copper Shoals Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus Description: Copper Shoals Red Drum®is a marine red drum farm- NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION raised in Texas. The marine red drum is commonly Per 3oz portion known as redfish or spottail sea bass. It is a game fish native to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Calories 110 Total Fat 9 g and is found in coastal waters from Massachusetts to Saturated Fat 3 g Tuxpan, Mexico. Red drum travel in shoals (schools) Protein 17.5 g and are aggressive eaters, feeding on shrimp and small Sodium 70 mg Omega-3 0.8 g fish such as menhaden and mullet, at times in waters so shallow that their backs are exposed. Red drum is more copper than red. It’s most distictive feature is one or more large black spots on the tail. The spot tricks predators into targeting the tail of the fish rather than COOKING METHODS the head, allowing the red drum the chance to get away. Blacken Sauté Eating Qualities: Grill The light, white meat of Copper Shoals Red Steam Drum® tastes mild, not bland. It has a robust Bake texture that adapts well to many cooking methods. Sear Farming Methods: Copper Shoals Red Drum® are bred and hatched on two HANDLING family owned and operated inland farms in Texas. The Whole fish should be packed in flaked fingerlings mature in ponds filled with salwater sourced ice. Whole fish and fillets should be from a Matagorda Bay system and saline aquifers. The red stored in a drain pan in the coldest part drum are fed a high-quality, high-protein diet composed of the walk-in.
  • Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias Undulatus Contributor: J

    Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias Undulatus Contributor: J

    Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus Contributor: J. David Whitaker DESCRIPTION Taxonomy and Basic Description The Atlantic croaker is the only representative of the genus in the western North Atlantic. This species gets its name from the deep By Diane Rome Peebles from the Florida Division of Marine Resources Web Site. croaking sounds created by muscular action on the air bladder. It is one of 23 members of the family Sciaenidae found along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts (Mercer 1987). The species has a typical fusiform shape, although it is somewhat vertically compressed. The fish is silvery overall with a faint pinkish-bronze cast. The back and upper sides are grayish, with brassy or brown spots forming wavy lines on the side (Manooch 1988). The gill cover has three to five prominent spines and there are three to five small chin barbels. It has a slightly convex caudal fin. Atlantic croaker south of Cape Hatteras reach maturity after one year at lengths of 140 to 180 mm (5.5 to 7 inches) and are thought to not survive longer than one or two years (Diaz and Onuf 1985). North of Cape Hatteras, the fish matures a year later at lengths greater than 200 mm (8 inches) and individuals may live several years. The Atlantic croaker reaches a maximum length of 500 mm (20 inches) (Hildebrand and Schroeder 1927). Catches of large Atlantic croaker appear to be relatively common on Chesapeake Bay, but large individuals of Atlantic croaker are rare in South Carolina. Bearden (1964) speculated that small croaker from South Carolina may migrate north, but limited tagging studies could not corroborate that assertion.
  • Assessing the Effects of Freshwater Inflows and Other Key Drivers

    Assessing the Effects of Freshwater Inflows and Other Key Drivers

    AsSEssING THE EFFECTS OF FRESHWATER INFLOWS AND OTHER KEY DRIVERS ON THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF BLUE CRAB AND WHITE SHRIMP USING A MuLTIvARIATE TIME- SERIES MODELING fRAMEwoRK Principal Investigator Dr. Edward J. Buskey Research Coordinator, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Professor, Department of Marine Science, The University of Texas at Austin Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Lindsay P. Scheef Research Associate, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Dr. Jianhong Xue Research Associate, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve PURSUANT To SENATE BILL 1 AS APPROVED BY THE 83RD TEXAS LEGISLATURE, THIS STUDYREPORT WAS FUNDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING ENVIRONMENTAL FLO WNEEDS FOR TEXASRIVERS AND ESTUARIESASPARTOF THEADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PHASE OF THE SENATE BILL 3 PROCESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ESTABLISHED BY THE 80TH TEXAS LEGISLA TURE. THE VIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR(S) AND DO NOT NECESSARILYREFLECT THE VIEWS Of THE TEXAS WA TER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. final Report Sponsor Research Project ID: 1400011712 Sponsored by Texas Water Development Board September 2015 Department of Marine Science The University of Texas at Austin Port Aransas, Texas 78373 I ii ABSTRACT Natural freshwater inflow (FWI) from rivers, streams, and rainfall maintains nutrients, sediments, and salinity regimes within estuaries. These factors, together, produce a healthy and sustainable estuary for juvenile and adult finfish and invertebrates that utilize an estuary for foraging, refuge, and reproduction. Other key drivers, such as droughts and human contributed impacts have negative effects on estuaries. Reduced FWI can affect the population dynamics of commercially and ecologically important species such as blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, and white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus.
  • Voestalpine Essential Fish Habitat Assessment for PSD Greenhouse Gas Permit

    Voestalpine Essential Fish Habitat Assessment for PSD Greenhouse Gas Permit

    Essential Fish Habitat Assessment: Texas Project Site voestalpine Stahl GmbH San Patricio County, Texas January 31, 2013 www.erm.com voestalpine Stahl GmbH Essential Fish Habitat Assessment: Texas Project Site January 31, 2013 Project No. 0172451 San Patricio County, Texas Alicia Smith Partner-in-Charge Graham Donaldson Project Manager Travis Wycoff Project Consultant Environmental Resources Management 15810 Park Ten Place, Suite 300 Houston, Texas 77084-5140 T: 281-600-1000 F: 281-600-1001 Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2393 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VI 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 PROPOSED ACTION 1 1.2 AGENCY REGULATIONS 1 1.2.1 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 1 1.2.1 Essential Fish Habitat Defined 2 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 4 2.1 PROJECT SCHEDULE 4 2.2 PROJECT LOCATION 4 2.3 SITE DESCRIPTION 5 2.4 SITE HISTORY 7 2.5 EMISSIONS CONTROLS 8 2.6 NOISE 9 2.7 DUST 10 2.8 WATER AND WASTEWATER 10 2.8.1 Water Sourcing and Water Rights 11 2.8.2 Wastewater Discharge 13 3.0 IDENTIFICATION OF THE ACTION AREA 15 3.1 ACTION AREA DEFINED 15 3.2 ACTION AREA DELINEATION METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS 16 3.2.1 Significant Impact Level Dispersion Modeling 16 3.2.2 Other Contaminants 17 4.0 ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROJECT 19 4.1 SPECIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN 19 4.1.1 Brown Shrimp 19 4.1.2 Gray Snapper 20 4.1.3 Pink Shrimp 20 4.1.4 Red Drum 20 4.1.5 Spanish Mackerel 21 4.1.6 White Shrimp 21 4.2 HABITAT AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN 22 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS
  • MBNMS Collaborative Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat (EFH

    MBNMS Collaborative Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat (EFH

    July 31, 2013 Collaborative Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Proposal: Protecting Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat While Balancing Fishing Opportunities in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, South of Año Nuevo Rosy rockfish (Sebastes rosaceus) Phylum Porifera and Class Crinoidea Contact: Karen Grimmer Resource Protection Coordinator Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 99 Pacific Avenue, Suite 455a Monterey, CA 93940 MBNMS Groundfish EFH Proposal TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... 8 I. Proposal ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 10 3a. Proposal Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 14 3c. Overview of New Information .................................................................................................. 18 4. Proposed Actions ........................................................................................................................... 18 4a. Spatial Changes ......................................................................................................................