Incorporating Habitat Science into the Assessment and Management of Fishery Stocks

Understanding the complex ecological connections influencing the health and productivity of fish stocks and their habitats is necessary for ecosystem-based fisheries management.  The 2010 NOAA Fisheries Habitat Assessment Improvement Plan (HAIP) set the agency’s strategy for pursuing habitat science, and in developing habitat assessments for ecologically sound management of marine fisheries and associated habitats.  The goal of these assessments is to determine the function of habitats in relation to their stock-specific fishery production and contributions to ecosystem processes.  Since the HAIP publication, NOAA has funded over $3 million for research to improve the availability and utility of habitat information for stock assessments. In response to requests from coastal managers, regional pilot projects quantifying the effects of inshore habitat dynamics upon offshore fishery stocks have been initiated to strengthen coastal habitat conservation recommendations.  Creation of Habitat Focus Areas through the NOAA Habitat Blueprint allows for research and mapping supporting habitat protection and restoration efforts.  NOAA continues to make advancements incorporating habitat information into stock assessments and ecosystem science. These efforts enhance single-stock and ecosystem-based fisheries management, and further our knowledge of the ecological contributions of key habitats toward the life history and fisheries production of living marine resources.