Coral reefs are some of the most complex ecosystems on earth and provide habitat for many fish and invertebrates. This storyboard gives a brief look into how the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages corals throughout the Gulf of Mexico. It also describes unique coral reefs in the Gulf, coral management areas, the Endangered… Continue Reading Coral Reef Management
An ecosystem is a community of organisms and the environment in which these organisms live. The size of an ecosystem can range from a tiny speck of marine snow to the entire ocean. The Gulf of Mexico is considered a ‘large marine ecosystem,’ and managers are charged with managing the resources within it. Check our… Continue Reading The Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem
The Gulf Council is considering establishing new coral protections in the Gulf of Mexico to conserve essential fish habitat and support sustainable fisheries. The Council’s fishermen and scientific advisors have recognized 15 areas that are unique in their abundance and diversity of corals that may warrant further protections. Read the amendment or explore the HAPCs under consideration.
The Gulf Council is considering an amendment that could establish a regional approach for managing recreationally harvested red snapper to improve access and allow regional flexibility of management. The Council recognizes that this is a complex issue and requires consideration of the outcomes for both anglers on for-hire vessels and anglers on private vessels. This… Continue Reading Red Snapper Decision Support Tool
This resource summaries findings of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s 2011-2016 review of essential fish habitat (EFH) in the Gulf of Mexico. This review included the development of species profiles, updated habitat association tables, habitat maps, and the bibliography used to produce the review. This application is interactive and can be queried by… Continue Reading Essential Fish Habitat 5-Year Review
