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National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP)

National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) The National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) is a state/Federal effort whose goal is to foster coordinated and focused fish habitat protection and restoration projects accomplished through regional fish habitat partnerships that include state, Federal, private, and non-profit entities.

The Mission of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan is to:
Protect, restore and enhance the Nation's fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people.

The Objectives are to:

• Conduct a condition analysis of all fish habitats within the United States by 2010.
• Identify priority fish habitats and establish Fish Habitat Partnerships targeting these habitats by 2010.
• Establish 12 or more Fish Habitat Partnerships throughout United States by 2010.
• Prepare a Status of Fish Habitats in the United States in 2010, and every five years thereafter.
• Protect all healthy and intact habitats by 2015.
  Improve the condition of 90 percent of priority habitats and species targeted by Fish Habitat Partnerships by 2020.

The Plan will be implemented through the following four strategies:

Together, these approaches will lead to actions that are strategically employed and results that can be measured against protection, restoration and enhancement goals.

• Support existing fish habitat partnerships and foster new efforts.
• Mobilize and focus national and local support for achieving fish habitat conservation goals.
• Measure and communicate the status and needs of aquatic habitats.
• Provide national leadership and coordination to conserve fish habitats.

The National Fish Habitat Action Plan will provide many benefits to NOAA trust resources including:

• Create national visibility and support for NOAA Fisheries Service habitat programs
• Optimize existing coastal and diadromous fish habitat protection and restoration $$ through better coordination and prioritization.
• Infuse new $$ into coastal and diadromous fish habitat efforts through Congressional support for a National Fish Habitat Act.
• Enhance and create new partnerships with states.

NOAA Fisheries Service is a co-leader of the NFHAP along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

For more information see www.fishhabitat.org