Compilation of Data Sets Relevant to the Identification of Essential Fish Habitat on the Gulf of Mexico Continental Shelf and for the Estimation of the Effects of Shrimp Trawling Gear on Habitat

Sheridan, P. and P. Caldwell, Galveston Laboratory, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Compilation of Data Sets Relevant to the Identification of Essential Fish Habitat on the Gulf of Mexico Continental Shelf and for the Estimation of the Effects of Shrimp Trawling Gear on Habitat

Date

2002

Authors

Sheridan, P. and P. Caldwell, Galveston Laboratory, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Publisher

U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Marine Fisheries Service

Abstract

The objectives of this project were to 1) identify and obtain data bases describing continental shelf habitats, trawl fishery activities, and other human activities, 2) to incorporate these data sets into a geographical information system (GIS) format, and 3) to provide preliminary experimental designs for the assessment of the effects of shrimp trawling to EFH on the Gulf of Mexico continental shelf. The habitat data can also be used in the future to frame studies of other fishing gears, since traps, longlines, dredges, and recreational fishing have also been identified as fishing methods with high potential for impact.

Description

56 pgs.

Keywords

shrimp, fishes, fisheries, fish habitat improvement, structural components, benthic community structure, ecosystem level, sediment, fishing gear, trawls, longlines