|
Habitat Program |
|
Given the overlapping responsibilities for habitat areas that are essential to fish species under management by state, interstate, and federal interests, it is imperative to coordinate work involved in identifying and characterizing habitat in order to avoid duplication of effort and to take advantage of the combined resources of state and federal agencies. Based on the mutual interest in managing and protecting habitats vital to the survival and propagation of fish species under management, as described above, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) entered into a joint habitat program in July 1997. The goal of the Habitat Program now is the development of a long-term, joint program for the Council and GSMFC to address common habitat issues related to habitat as established in Council FMPs and habitat provisions established in GSMFC Interjurisdictional FMPs. The joint Habitat Program is now involved in reviewing projects that affect habitat throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. If any projects are determined to have an adverse impact on habitat, they are forwarded and reviewed by the Council’s Habitat Protection Advisory Panels or the Council’s Habitat Protection Committee. The full Council can also review projects and comment on these projects. If you know of a project that is impacting habitat and think the Council should review the project, please contact Jeff Rester at (228) 875-5912 or jrester@gsmfc.org. The Habitat Program also incorporates the GSMFC’s Habitat Subcommittee. The Habitat Subcommittee is composed of two representatives from each Gulf state along with members from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Habitat Subcommittee works closely with the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program in the review, updating, and formulation of the habitat sections of the Commission’s Fishery Management Plans. The Habitat Subcommittee is also involved in the protection, restoration, and conservation of EFH throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Derelict Crab TrapsWith funding from the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program, the Gulf
States are trying to address the derelict crab trap problem. The links below
provide more information on the derelict trap problem and ways the states
are working to improve the current situation. Habitat PosterThe habitat poster is finished. The poster stresses the importance of healthy habitat to the various species that call the Gulf of Mexico home. The poster also stresses how unique and irreplaceable that habitat is. If you would like a full size copy of the poster, contact the Commission office. Click on the thumbnail below to see a smaller version of the poster.
A black and white outline of the habitat poster is also available for use as a coloring sheet. Download the image, print it out and you are ready to color.
If you have any comments or problems concerning this page, please contact the . Last modified: June 24, 2008 | |
