Generic Amendment No. 3 (2005) for Addressing Essential Fish Habitat Requirements in the 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 addressed Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) requirements, Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs), and adverse effects of fishing in the fisheries for shrimp, red drum, reef fish, stone crab, coral, and coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as spiny lobster and the CMP resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Management measures include; prohibiting bottom anchoring to protect coral reefs in the East and West Flower Garden Banks, McGrail Bank, Pulley Ridge, and the North and South Tortugas Ecological Reserves, as well as Stetson Bank HAPCs' prohibiting longlines, buoy gear, and all traps/pots to protect coral reefs in those same HAPCs; and requiring a weak link in the tickler chain of bottom trawls on all habitats throughout the Gulf EEZ.