🦐Public Hearing on South Atlantic Fishery Management Amendments
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold two public hearings pertaining to Joint Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region and Amendment 12 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic region. This amendment would establish a Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area along the eastern edge of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern.
Learn More🌊Critical Habitat Designations and Their Business Implications
We, NMFS, designate critical habitat for five threatened Indo- Pacific coral species, Acropora globiceps, A. retusa, A. speciosa, Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa (formerly Euphyllia paradivisa), and Isopora crateriformis, pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Final critical habitat includes 18 specific areas encompassing approximately 237 square kilometers (km\2\; 92 square miles, mi\2\) of marine habitat in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Pacific Remote Island Areas, and Hawai[revaps]i. We have considered economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the designations, but are not excluding any areas from the critical habitat designations due to anticipated impacts.
Learn More🐠Socioeconomic Survey for Coral Reef Conservation in South Florida
This notice from the Department of Commerce involves a 2026 survey on the socioeconomics of coral reef conservation in South Florida. It seeks to gather data on local behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes toward coral reefs, aiding NOAA in implementing effective conservation programs and enhancing public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of these ecosystems.
Learn More