Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs)
HAPCs are a subset of EFH. The identification of HAPCs is encouraged
in the EFH final rule to allow Councils to highlight specific
habitat areas with extremely important ecological functions and/or
that are especially vulnerable to degradation. For instance, HAPC
designation may be warranted for areas that play a vital role
in the reproductive cycle of a managed species, or areas that
contain a rare habitat type that may be sensitive to disturbance
from fishing or other human activities. Designation of a specific
habitat area as an HAPC requires that one or more of the following
considerations be met:
- Importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat
- Extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental
degradation
- Whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or
will be, stressing the habitat type
- Rarity of the habitat type
The Purpose of HAPCs
HAPC designation does not confer additional protection or restrictions
to an area, but can help to focus EFH conservation priorities.
The designation of HAPCs is a valuable way to acknowledge areas
where we have especially detailed information on ecological function
and habitat vulnerability that allows us to highlight priority
areas for conservation and management.
Designating HAPCs
Seven of the eight fishery management councils and the Highly
Migratory Species Division of NOAA Fisheries have designated HAPCs.
The fishery management councils approached HAPC designation in
different ways, some designating discrete geographic areas as
HAPCs, while others designated all areas of a specific habitat
type. As the fishery management councils continue to gain understanding
of the life history characteristics of managed fish species and
the specific habitat requirements of those species, they will
be able to designate additional HAPCs or refine the existing designations.
HAPCs vs. EFH
Some observers have questioned the breadth of the mosaic of EFH
designations for all federally managed species, and have suggested
that HAPCs are the areas that should be considered EFH. HAPCs
are identifiable, uniquely important areas necessary to support
healthy stocks of fish throughout all of their life stages. However,
healthy populations of fish require not only the relatively small
habitats identified as HAPCs, but also other suitable areas that
provide habitat functions that are necessary to support large
numbers of fish, promoting sustainable fisheries and a healthy
ecosystem. In total, HAPCs comprise only a fraction of 1 percent
of the areas identified as EFH.
