Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Final Environmental Impact Statement Addressing Essential Fish Habitat Requirements of the Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico

摘要

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, NMFS announces the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) regarding a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) that was prepared to determine whether to amend the fishery management plans of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to address essential fish habitat (EFH) requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This ROD documents the decision by NMFS to proceed with such an amendment to describe and identify EFH for each fishery; identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of such EFH; and identify measures to prevent, mitigate, or minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on such EFH.