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Service Description: These data represent Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) as published by NOAA Fisheries (data dated 7/10/2024 at time of data download and preparation for this web service). The purpose of HAPCs is to focus conservation, management, and research efforts on subsets of EFH that are vulnerable to degradation or are especially important ecologically for federally managed fish.
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) are discrete subsets of EFH that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation. The HAPC designation does not provide additional protection or restrictions upon an area, but can help prioritize conservation efforts. HAPCs are described in the implementing regulations of the EFH provisions at 50 C.F.R. § 600.815. Regional fishery management councils are encouraged to identify habitat types or areas within EFH as HAPCs, based on one or more of the following considerations: the importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat; the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation; whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type; and the rarity of the habitat type.
Limitations of Use: Although these data have been used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as to the accuracy of the data. The act of Distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the use of these data, software, or related materials.
Users are advised that the spatial representation of essential fish habitat is for informational purposes only and should not be solely relied on for regulatory purposes. Implementing regulations [50 CFR 600.815(a)(1)(iv)(B)] specify if there are differences between the descriptions of EFH in text and maps the textual description is ultimately determinative of the limits of EFH as described in the Amendment. Data Source:
NOAA Fisheries Regional Offices, Fishery Management Councils, NOAA Fisheries Science Centersm, Highly Migratory Species Division (headquarters), Habitat Protection Division (headquarters); web service published by the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal
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Description: The purpose of HAPCs is to focus conservation, management, and research efforts on subsets of EFH that are vulnerable to degradation or are especially important ecologically for federally managed fish. The HAPC designation alone does not confer additional protection or restrictions to an area, but helps to focus EFH conservation, management, and research priorities. HAPC designation is a valuable way to acknowledge areas where we have detailed information on ecological function and habitat vulnerability, indicating a greater need for conservation and management. In some instances the Councils and NMFS may develop fishery management measures to conserve the habitat within the HAPC.HAPCs are a subset of EFH that deserve special attention because they provide extremely important ecological functions and/or are especially vulnerable to degradation. For instance, HAPC designation may be warranted for areas that play a vital role in the reproductive cycle of a managed species (e.g., grouper spawning sites) or areas that contain a rare habitat type (e.g., corals) that may be sensitive to disturbance from fishing or other human activities.Councils may designate an area as a HAPC for one or more of the following reasons:The habitat provides important ecological functionsThe habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradationDevelopment activities are, or will be, stressing the habitatThe habitat type is rare.
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) are discrete subsets of EFH that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation. The HAPC designation does not provide additional protection or restrictions upon an area, but can help prioritize conservation efforts. HAPCs are described in the implementing regulations of the EFH provisions at 50 C.F.R. § 600.815. Regional fishery management councils are encouraged to identify habitat types or areas within EFH as HAPCs, based on one or more of the following considerations: the importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat; the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation; whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type; and the rarity of the habitat type.
Copyright Text: NOAA Fisheries Regional Offices, Fishery Management Councils, NOAA Fisheries Science Centersm, Highly Migratory Species Division (headquarters), Habitat Protection Division (headquarters)
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Document Info:
Title: Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC)
Author:
Comments: The purpose of HAPCs is to focus conservation, management, and research efforts on subsets of EFH that are vulnerable to degradation or are especially important ecologically for federally managed fish. The HAPC designation alone does not confer additional protection or restrictions to an area, but helps to focus EFH conservation, management, and research priorities. HAPC designation is a valuable way to acknowledge areas where we have detailed information on ecological function and habitat vulnerability, indicating a greater need for conservation and management. In some instances the Councils and NMFS may develop fishery management measures to conserve the habitat within the HAPC.HAPCs are a subset of EFH that deserve special attention because they provide extremely important ecological functions and/or are especially vulnerable to degradation. For instance, HAPC designation may be warranted for areas that play a vital role in the reproductive cycle of a managed species (e.g., grouper spawning sites) or areas that contain a rare habitat type (e.g., corals) that may be sensitive to disturbance from fishing or other human activities.Councils may designate an area as a HAPC for one or more of the following reasons:The habitat provides important ecological functionsThe habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradationDevelopment activities are, or will be, stressing the habitatThe habitat type is rare.
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) are discrete subsets of EFH that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation. The HAPC designation does not provide additional protection or restrictions upon an area, but can help prioritize conservation efforts. HAPCs are described in the implementing regulations of the EFH provisions at 50 C.F.R. § 600.815. Regional fishery management councils are encouraged to identify habitat types or areas within EFH as HAPCs, based on one or more of the following considerations: the importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat; the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation; whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type; and the rarity of the habitat type.
Subject: These data represent Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) as published by NOAA Fisheries (see credits/author).
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Keywords: Habitat Areas of Particular Concern,HAPC,Essential Fish Habitat,EFH,Habitat,Fish,Fisheries,NMFS,NOAA,groundfish,fishery management plan,FMP
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