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NOAA Workshop on Benthic Habitat and Effects of Fishing in the Southeastern United States
On October 31st to November 2nd, NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center held a second workshop on Gear Impacts on Essential Fish Habitat in the Southeastern Region at the Casino Magic Hotel in Biloxi, Miss. The objective for the workshop was for the Fisheries Science Center to refine its research agenda for the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern United States. The Center also sought to develop plans for needed research to include in the joint USGS/NOAA initiative on benthic habitats. Some specific goals were to:
Attendees included National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) research staff from around the Gulf of Mexico, from Puerto Rico, and the southeastern Gulf and Atlantic states, the resource-focused Fisheries Management Council, State fisheries resource managers, Sea Grant units, fishermen, and the USGS. Ken Sulak (BRD-Florida Caribbean Science Center), Jimmy Johnston (BRD-National Wetlands Research Center), Kathy Scanlon (GD-Woods Hole Field Center) and Peter Barnes (GD-Menlo) represented the USGS. Under discussion were the value of geologic mapping and the recognition that geologists have a role to play in understanding benthic processes related to habitat and habitat impact, such as changes in substrate following disruption of sediment or reefs by fishing activities. In addition to substrate characterization and classification, the workshop participants identified the need to distinguish natural substrate disturbance from disruption by fishing activities and to understand the ecosystem change after disruption. Pessimism was expressed about the ability to distinguish different habitat types and the various effects of all the different fishing gear types, sizes and shapes, and effects of multiple fishing events. The NMFS is drafting a report and research plan.
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![]() in this issue:
Lake Tahoe: "Wonders of the Universe" Calendar Plymouth County Detention Center
Southwest Washington Coastal Erosion Southeatern U.S. Benthic Habitat Southern California Benthic Habitat 9th International Coral Reef Symposium Director's Office & NOAA Visitors ![]() |