What are habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC)?

Habitat Areas of Particular Concern are discrete subsets of EFH that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation. Councils may designate a specific habitat area as an HAPC based on one or more of the following reasons:

• 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 HAPC designation does not confer additional protection or restrictions upon an area, but can help prioritize conservation efforts. Healthy populations of fish require not only the relatively small habitats identified as HAPCs, but also other areas that provide suitable habitat functions. HAPCs alone will not suffice in supporting the larger numbers of fish needed to maintain sustainable fisheries and a healthy ecosystem.