Magnuson-Stevens Act Implementation

Activity Sheet #N-11.02November 15 2005
Activity:ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: Actions by the Secretary and Councils regarding essential fish

habitat [Sec. 110(a)(3)]: Provide Councils with recommendations and information on

identification of essential fish habitat including threats and conservation and enhancement

measures
Completion date:October 11 1998September 18 1998
Product (s):Reports to F/SF and Councils

Overview and scope of task and sub-tasks:

CompletedA. Provide each Council after consulting with the fishing industry and other interested

parties with recommendations and information regarding each fishery under that

Council's authority to assist in the identification of essential fish habitat adverse effects

to essential fish habitat and actions to ensure conservation and enhancement of that

habitat; and

CompletedB. New England Fishery Management Council EFH Provisions Preparation Schedule

(1) NEFMC approves draft EFH designation alternatives for species Group 1 (group

"a") (most likely candidates: monkfish cod haddock yellowtail flounder Atlantic

herring)

Completed

(2) NEFMC approves EFH designation alternatives for species Group 2 (group "b")

(all other species)

Completed

(3) NEFMC approves public hearing document for all EFH designations

Completed

(4) NEFMC approves public hearing document for EFH impacts and mitigation

options

Completed

(5) NEFMC approves final EFH designations

Completed

(6) NEFMC approves EFH amendments

CompletedC. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council EFH provisions preparation schedule

(1) MAFMC approves draft EFH alternatives and public hearing document for

bluefish

Completed

(2) MAFMC approves draft EFH alternatives and public hearing document for

dogfish

Completed

(3) MAFMC approves bluefish amendment for submission to NMFS

Completed

(4) MAFMC approves draft EFH alternatives and public hearing document for the

summer flounder scup and black seabass FMP

Completed

(5) MAFMC approves draft EFH alternatives and public hearing document for the

squid mackerel and butterfish FMP

Completed

(6) MAFMC approves draft EFH alternatives and public hearing document for the

surf clam and ocean quahog FMP

Completed

(7) MAFMC approves dogfish FMP amendment for submission to NMFS

Completed

(8) MAFMC approves summer flounder scup and black seabass FMP amendment

for submission to NMFS

Completed

(9) MAFMC approves surf clam and ocean quahog FMP amendment for submission

to NMFS

Completed

(10) MAFMC approves squid mackerel and butterfish FMP amendment for

submission to NMFS

CompletedD. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's EFH provisions preparation schedule

(1) SAFMC approves draft Habitat Plan/FMP amendment for public hearing and

review

Completed

(2) Council's SSC reviews draft Plan/Amendment and comments thereon

Completed

(3) Habitat Plan/Comprehensive Amendment and final NMFS EFH

recommendations reviewed at joint meeting of Council's Habitat and Coral Advisory

Panels

Completed

(4) SAFMC approves Habitat Plan and Comprehensive Amendment for submission

to NMFS

CompletedE. Gulf of Mexico Fishery management Council's EFH provisions preparation schedule

Completed(1) Council's Technical Review Panel meets on EFH descrition and identification

threats and conservation measures; prepares report to Council

Completed

(2) Council's Technical Review Panel meets to review entire draft EFH amendment

Completed

(3) Council's Habitat Protection Committee reviews draft EFH amendment

Completed

(4) GFMC approves EFH amendment for public hearings

Completed

(5) GFMC approves final EFH amendment for submission to NMFS

CompletedF. Caribbean Fishery Management Council's EFH provisions preparation schedule

(1) CFMC staff and Committees complete development and review of draft generic

Habitat Plan/FMP amendment

Completed

(2) CFMC reviews and approves draft Habitat Plan/FMP amendment for public

hearings

Completed

(3) CFMC approves Habitat plan/comprehensive FMP amendment for submission to

NMFS

CompletedG. Pacific Fishery Management Council's EFH Provisions Preparation Schedule

(1) PFMC receives and discusses draft EFH recommendations

Completed

(2) Public hearings on draft EFH recommendations completed (hearings in

Portland OR; Seattle WA; San Francisco CA; and Boise ID from 4/9/98-4/16/98)

Completed

(3) PFMC receives and adopts proposed EFH FMP amendment for public comment

and hearings

Completed

(4) PFMC approves EFH FMP amendment for submission to NMFS

CompletedH. North Pacific Fishery Management Council's EFH Provisions Preparation Schedule

Completed(1) 3-day Public meeting/workshop in Juneau to update and receive comments on

EFH assessments

Completed

(2) NPFMC and Committees review NEPA documents and EFH designations. Puiblic

meeting on these items is held concurrently by the Council