Description: Essential Fish HabitatThis feature layer, utilizing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), displays Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). Per NOAA, "Fish and other marine species depend on their habitat to survive and reproduce. Congress improved the nation's primary fisheries law in 1996 to recognize the importance of healthy habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries. We work with partners like regional fishery management councils and use the best available scientific information to identify, describe, and map EFH for all federally managed fish species. Fishery management councils use this information to pinpoint and protect sensitive habitats by limiting certain fishing gear in those areas."Data Disclaimer for Nationwide EFH: This GIS data layer is a composite of regional designations for EFH. Note: The inland extents were defined by medium to low resolution coastline data and may be subject to coastline artifacts.
Copyright Text: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)