In a long awaited decision, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) today, putting the fate of rare deep sea corals off the South Atlantic coast in the hands of the public. Last month, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council advanced a proposal – five years in the making – to protect more than 23,000 square miles of known deep sea coral from North Carolina to Florida from destructive fishing gear.
“These beautiful and fragile deep sea coral and sponge habitats are valuable in their own right,” said Dave Allison, senior campaign director at Oceana. “Immediate protection of this rare ecosystem is also necessary to generate healthy fisheries that support fishermen and coastal economies and cultures.”
After the 45-day comment period, the Council will take a final vote at its September meeting before sending its recommendation for the “Habitat Areas of Particular Concern” (HAPC) to the Secretary of Commerce. Oceana anticipates its adoption by the end of 2009.