Phase 1 of the Pacific Coast Groundfish 5-year Review of Essential
Fish Habitat (EFH) has been completed as
of September 2012. A report from this effort was developed by the
Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (PFMC)
Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee (EFHRC), which
included significant participation and leadership by staff of
the NMFS NW and SW Science Centers and
Regional Offices.
View the report:
http://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/background/document-library/pacific-coast-groundfish-5-year-review-of-efh/
The Phase 1 report summarizes information that has become available
since the last Groundfish EFH Review was
concluded in 2006, including life history and habitat requirements
of the 91 species in the Pacific
Groundfish FMP; overviews of relevant trophic and ecosystem models;
potential threats to groundfish EFH and prey species from
fishing and non-fishing activities; and
identification of research needs to further refine groundfish EFH.
This report features updated maps of seafloor habitat types and
bathymetry; observations and bycatch of
deep-sea corals and sponges; commercial fishing effort; and spatial
management boundaries. Many of these maps
and associated data sets, as well as an array of mapping tools,
are available through a Consolidated Geographic Information
Data Catalog and Online Registry at:
http://efh-catalog.coas.oregonstate.edu/overview/
Phase 2 of the Pacific Coast Groundfish 5-year review will consider
potential changes to designated EFH, based
on the new information produced in Phase 1 of this process. |
