Generic Amendment for Addressing Essential Fish Habitat Requirements in the following Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico.

This Amendment to all seven Fisheries Management Plans for specific fisheries (Stone Crab, shrimp, Spiny Lobster, Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, Coral and Coral Reef, Red Drum and Reef Fish) of the Gulf of Mexico and partly in the South Atlantic describes the habitat constitution that is essential for each life history stage of 26 representative species, which result in most of the landings from the Gulf. They were selected because they are considered to be ecologically representative of the remaining species within their respective Fishery Management Units (FMUs). Essential fish habitat (EFH) is identified and described based on areas where various life stages of 26 representative managed species and the coral complex commonly occur. The Plan describes the habitat types and distribution, threats to these habitats, predator-prey relationships, factors resulting in EFH losses, conservation and enhancement measures for EFH, and recommendations to minimize impacts from non-fishing threats.
For the estuarine component, EFH is defined as all estuarine waters and substrates (mud, sand, shell, rock and associated biological communities), including the sub-tidal vegetation (seagrasses and algae) and adjacent inter-tidal vegetation (marshes and mangroves). In marine waters of the Gulf of Mexico, EFH is defined as all marine waters and substrates (mud, sand, shell, rock, hardbottom, and associated biological communities) from the shoreline to the seaward limit of the EEZ.
Threats to EFH from fishing and nonfishing activities are identified. Options to conserve and enhance EFH are provided. Research needs also are identified. New management measures and regulations are not proposed at this time. Fishing-related management measures to minimize any identified impacts are deferred to future amendments when the Council has the information necessary to decide if the measures are practicable. Identification of non-fishing related activities that may adversely affect EFH regard physical alterations, water quality issues and biologic alterations. Recommendations concern, among other things: restrictions on fishing activities (fishing equipment restriction, harvest limits and time/area closures); recommendations to minimize impacts of identified threats from non-fishing activities (including, amongst other, impoundments and other water-level controls and mariculture). Independent and Cooperative Habitat Restoration Efforts will include outreach and education, Watershed Analysis and Freshwater Inflow Planning, Coastal hypoxia and contaminant loading.
Within the NMFS Interim Final Rules, the NMFS recommends that FMPs identify habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) within EFH. In response to this recommendation, the following general types of HAPC are identified for all FMP-managed species: Nearshore areas of intertidal and estuarine habitats; Offshore areas with substrates of high habitat value and diversity or vertical relief which serve as cover for fish and shellfish; Marine and estuarine habitat used for migration, spawning, and rearing of fish and shellfish, especially in urban areas and in other areas adjacent to intensive human-induced developmental activities. The following criteria will be used to designate specific HAPCs and these general criteria apply to each of the three general areas described above: a. the importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat; b. the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation; c. whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat; and d. the rarity of the habitat type.