Scientific Diving
Marine Mammal Surveys
Habitat Monitoring
EFH Assessments
Compliance
Resources Assessments

Project portfolio

EFH assessments 2004 - 2005

EFH assessments 2003

EFH Study for the Navy Southeast OPAREA Virginia Capes, Cherry Point, and Charleston/Jacksonville

EFH Assessments

Essential Fish Habitats (EFH) are areas essential to the long-term survival and health of fisheries. EFH includes habitats that support any life stage (breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding, and protection) of each species and can include sandy or rocky substrates, vegetation such as seagrasses or kelp, or complex reefs such as coral or oyster reefs. In addition, certain properties of the water column are essential to various species such as temperature, nutrients, or salinity.

GMI scientists are experts in conducting EFH assessments. Services available for these assessments include:

Regional habitat monitoring
Baseline assessment of local EFH
Data collection and analysis
Use of remote sensing technologies hyperspectral, LIDAR)
Imagery analysis (aerial, photo mosaic)
EFH mapping (GIS)
Ground truthing (via scientific diving)

GMI scientists have experience working around the globe. Project locations include: the Western Atlantic (Caribbean: Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Cuba, Florida), Gulf of Mexico (Flower Gardens), Pacific (Hawaii), and Indian Ocean (Diego Garcia).

Related Projects

Essential Fish Habitat Assessment, Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Mosquito Pier Ferry Terminal Facilities, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 2004 - 2005

GMI marine scientists performed an EFH assessment to evaluate whether or not the Local Redevelopment Authority’s (LRA’s) Reuse Plan developed for Naval Station Roosevelt Roads (NSRR), Puerto Rico, is likely to cause an adverse effect on EFH or on species managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC). GMI marine scientists performed land and marine ecological surveys to characterize habitats potentially impacted by the proposed Reuse Plan. Required baseline data for the EFH assessment included a baseline assessment of coral reefs, hard bottom, beaches, seagrass beds, and mangroves. The assessment used seven existing marine resource data sets including maps, sea turtle nesting data, marina seagrass bed assessment from the DARP/EA for the JP-5 Fuel Spill, and a mangrove assessment. We characterized five representative habitats located adjacent to the planned reuse areas of NAPR. We characterized the reefs and fisheries within these areas to include video transects of fisheries. We incorporated the existing seagrass information into the site assessments. The required baseline data for this EFH assessment were included in a baseline assessment of coral reefs and coral fisheries, and assimilation and analysis of existing seagrass bed, mangrove, and turtle nesting data. We analyzed all new and relative existing data in the preparation of the EFH Assessment report for the LRA Reuse Plan. In addition, we conducted post-breeding surveys of the yellow-shouldered blackbirds (YSBB) and prepared a YSBB post status report for the BA. GMI addressed marine mammal and sea turtle consultation issues that may emerge during site assessments and data analysis for the EFH Assessment report.

Essential Fish Habitat Assessment, Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Mosquito Pier Ferry Terminal Facilities, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 2003

GMI scientists conducted an Essential Fish Habitat Assessment for the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. Scientific divers conducted surveys for seagrasses and coral reef communities at the old pier and at the newly proposed pier sites. A wetland delineation was also conducted on the land based portion of the project on a 26-acre site on the east side of the Mosquito Pier Road. Approximately 4 acres of jurisdictional wetlands were identified and mitigation proposed for the project.

Essential Fish Habitat Study for the Navy Southeast Operating Areas Virginia Capes, Cherry Point, and Charleston/Jacksonville

The preparation of a comprehensive compilation of existing information and data on essential fish habitat (EFH) present in the three southeast U.S. naval operating areas was the first goal of this project while the assessment and interpretation of that information for use in Navy environmental planning purposes was the second project goal. The information compiled in this study also represents an important component in the compliance of Fleet Forces Command with federal environmental statutes such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA). Detailed information was provided on the legislative history of the MSFCMA as well as on the consultation and assessment requirements for federal agencies.

GMI researched, acquired, and reviewed literature and data from federal, state, and international agencies; libraries; universities; the Internet; and databases. All relevant fishery management plans, amendments, and technical reports were used to accurately assess and interpret the EFH designations and the associated habitat data. Since maps depicting EFH or habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for each designated species had not been prepared by the fishery management councils (New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic), GMI created maps for each species, often interpreting text designations and interpolating occurrence data. Using data and information on species occurrence, environmental parameters, and habitat, GMI created maps in a geographic information system (GIS) environment for all lifestages of all designated species off the southeast U.S. Details on the methods used for spatial interpolation as well as data interpretation and integration into the GIS were documented as part of the report.