Many fisheries in North America are severely depleted and trending downwards. While exploitation-based harvest strategies have undoubtedly contributed to these declines, habitat alteration, degradation, and loss are critically important factors affecting the sustainability of many freshwater, anadromous, catadromous, and estuarine fish species. In recognition of the need for concerted action to stem the loss of aquatic habitat, a coalition of anglers, conservation groups, scientists, state and federal agencies, and industry leaders forged the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. This plan is intended to provide a blueprint for protecting and maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, for preventing further losses of fish habitat, and for reversing declines in the quality and quantity of aquatic habitats in the United States. The Plan describes an implementation strategy that relies on four key activities, including: supporting fish habitat partnerships, building support for achieving fish habitat conservation goals, evaluating the status of aquatic habitats, and providing national leadership to conserve fish habitats.
Over the past 17 years, the Sustainable Fisheries Foundation has convened numerous conferences, forums, symoposia, and workshops to identify the most effective approaches for managing fisheries resources in North America. In this paper, the major factors that are contributing to the decline of North American fisheries will be identified. As habitat degradation and loss have been identified as critical factors affecting fisheries sustainability, the recommendations contained in the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy for conserving, protecting, and restoring aquatic and riparian habitats will be presented. Areas of agreement with, and divergence from, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan will be highlighted to support the 17 Fish habitat partnerships during the implementation phase of this important initiative.
