NOAA Fisheries scientists are engaged in a variety of studies to better understand fish habitat and the effects of fishing gear on both habitat and fish. This knowledge helps fisheries managers as they continually strive for sustainable fisheries with minimal impact on the resources. This information is available to the public at http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/abl/MarFish/geareffects.htm.

"Research to determine the impacts of fishing gear on habitat is critical to our ability to manage fisheries effectively and conservatively," said Jim Balsiger, Alaska regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "Sharing the results of our research, and incorporating the knowledge gained from other scientists' research, will benefit fisheries management around the world."

The site includes a searchable literature database that provides easy access to an extensive body of scientific and popular literature on the effects of mobile fishing gear. This resource will not only promote greater understanding of an important issue, but will facilitate informed discussion among scientists, policymakers and interested stakeholders. The user-friendly interface enables easy searching for specific information found in the citations, keywords and abstracts of the included works. The database will be updated on a regular basis so as to provide a current source of information on the subject.

The site provides early access to new information from ongoing research activities related to fishing gear effects and fish habitat studies. Because of strong interest in these issues and the considerable delays that are often associated with preparation and peer-review of scientific journal publications, a variety of workshop summaries, progress reports and other technical documents of interest are posted.

Also available at the site are new graphical summaries of bottom trawl effort in Alaska waters, as well as maps showing temporal and spatial variability of key invertebrate species. These animals constitute living substrate that is thought to be important habitat for commercial and non-commercial fish species. Linked to the invertebrate maps are brief summaries of life history and other biological information for each species group.

Short-term plans for future research focus on identifying the effects of the various gear types (trawls, longlines, pots, and dredges) on fish habitat for a range of habitat types, mapping habitat, and examining the associations between habitat features, fish utilization, and geological processes. Long-term plans call for studies that establish the connections between habitat, fish production, population dynamics and the mitigation of effects through gear design.

NOAA Fisheries conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support domestic and international fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.