USA: Move to protect deepwater corals

USA: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) has unanimously voted to protect over 5.9 million square metres of complex deepwater corals in the Carolinas, Georgia and eastern Florida.

The South Atlantic region holds one of the world’s largest contiguous distributions of deepwater corals.

The measure will go towards protecting specific areas of sensitive habitat which have been identified as a Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern.

The measure could take effect as soon as early next year.

“The measures will also protect against any future shifts of fishing efforts to these coral areas,” the Environment News Service quoted SAFMC Chairman Duane Harris as saying.

In order to ensure the continuation of fisheries in the area, the council has designated an “Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Area” and “Shrimp Fishery Access Area” within two of the proposed Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern.
 

Source: Baird Maritime