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Applying Benthic Data: Managing Fisheries Resources

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Summary Batiquitos Lagoon Restoration and Monitoring

Scotian Shelf Habitat Mapping

Graphic illustration of integrated benthic data for fish habitat delineation. Courtesy: NOAA

Summary

Many agencies, stakeholders' and scientists have utilized benthic mapping to accomplish a variety of resource management goals. Estuarine benthic resources generally covered by environmental laws include special status species (e.g., plants or animals that are considered rare or sensitive by federal or state regulations) and essential fish habitat (e.g., eelgrass, kelp beds, and estuaries). Mapping programs assist agencies and stakeholders in fulfilling their legal and management or stewardship responsibilities, such as fisheries management. Mapping of estuarine benthic resources for resource management generally is conducted to accomplish one or more goals including the following:

• Establish baseline conditions for comparison with past or future conditions — based on projected changes from natural or human-related effects;
  
  
• Develop and document engineering plans and determine construction-related impacts and mitigation for estuarine habitats (creation, restoration, and enhancement projects);
  
  
• Document changes due to natural or human-related effects to evaluate the success of creation, restoration, and enhancement efforts;
  
  
• Document the success of mitigation actions and compensation required due to project impacts;
  
  
• Document the need for management intervention (e.g., to protect a resource from developing or continuing impacts).

The case studies highlighted in this section demonstrate the use of benthic mapping as a tool to assist with fisheries management. Delineation of bottom habitats critical to fisheries species is the focus of the Scotian Shelf Habitat Mapping study. The Batiquitos Lagoon Restoration and Monitoring study describes the role of benthic mapping in the planning and implementation of estuary restoration for improved fisheries resources.

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