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Resource
Management Issues:
Seabed
Disturbance
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Overview
of the issue
Alteration of the seabed can occur from a variety of sources, including
construction activities, laying of underwater cables or pipelines, placement
of other types of structures on the seafloor, and trawling. Alteration
below mean high tide also occurs in coastal armoring,
covered in more detail under a separate heading.
 How
is the Sanctuary involved?
MBNMS regulations prohibit alteration
of the seabed, with the exception of fishing activities and normal anchoring.
MBNMS addresses these seabed alteration activities through review of projects
and issuing of permits with conditions to minimize impacts, and occasionally
denying permits. MBNMS is also working with the National Marine Sanctuary
System to develop nationwide guidelines on appropriate locations and restrictions
for underwater fiber optic cables based on habitat sensitivity and other
criteria.
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