CONTACT: Gordon Helm                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                        5/7/97

The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking input on proposed regulations to assist regional fishery management councils as they identify, conserve and enhance essential fish habitats, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

The proposed regulations are part of NOAA's fisheries service plan to implement essential fish habitat mandates under the new Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act amendments approved by Congress in its last session.

"Loss of essential fish habitat is one of the greatest long-term threats to many of the nation's fish and shellfish, such as salmon, summer flounder and shrimp," said Terry Garcia, acting assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "We will be working closely with the regional fishery management councils, coastal states and other partners to design measures that will protect and enhance the habitat that is essential to the fisheries under our stewardship."

From Alaska and Maine to the Gulf of Mexico, many fish population declines can be attributed to lost wetlands and seagrass beds, dammed rivers, contaminated sediments, polluted coastal bays, and other habitat loss or degradation. The essential fish habitat provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act were developed to meet the ecological and economic imperative to address the nation's habitat problems before the treasured finfish and shellfish that depend on them disappear.

The regulations prepared by the fisheries service will be used by the fishery management councils to identify habitats in need of designation. These "essential" habitat designations will then be highlighted within all fishery management plans.

Under the new Congressional mandate, essential fish habitats must be identified for all life stages of species managed under fishery management council plans. Activities that damage that habitat, including fishing, must also be identified, as well as conservation and enhancement measures.

In addition, the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that federal agencies consult with the Secretary of Commerce through the fisheries service on any activity that may adversely affect essential fish habitat. The fisheries service is charged with providing federal and state agencies with recommendations to conserve essential fish habitat and ensure the continued productivity of our nation's coastal environments. The proposed rule would also establish procedures to implement those consultation requirements.

The proposal reflects the full consideration of comments received from two advance notices of proposed rulemaking that sought information from interested parties, along with public comments gathered during 15 public meetings, briefings, and workshops held across the country during the past six months.

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through May 23, 1997. Send written comments to the Director; Office of Habitat Conservation, Attention: EFH, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. 20910.

Four public meetings have been scheduled:

May 12 - Secaucus, NJ
Meadowlands Hilton
Solarium Room
Two Harmon Plaza
7:00 PM -10:00 PM

May 13 - New Orleans, LA
Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza
333 Poydras St.
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

May 20 - Seattle, WA
NMFS Northwest Regional Headquarters
Auditorium, Bldg. 9
7600 Sand Point Way, NW
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

May 21 - Juneau, AK
Centennial Hal
Kickel Room
101 Egan Drive
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM