In 1996 Congress added new habitat provisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
Northern rockfish (Sebastes polyspinis) surrounded by hydroids, bryozoans, and sponges - near Adak Island, Alaska. Photo: Bob Stone, NMFS.
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and Management Act, the federal law that governs U.S. marine fisheries management. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, each fishery management plan must describe and identify EFH for the fishery, minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. Federal agencies must consult with NMFS regarding any action they authorize, fund, or undertake that may adversely affect EFH, and NMFS must provide conservation recommendations to federal and state agencies regarding any action that would adversely affect EFH.
As Congress noted in section 2(a)(9) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, "One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries is the continuing loss of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats. Habitat considerations should receive increased attention for the conservation and management of fishery resources of the United States."
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EFH Regulations
73 FR 12357, March 7, 2008. Proposed rule to implement Amendment 89 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area to establish Bering Sea habitat conservation measures prohibiting nonpelagic trawling in certain waters of the Bering Sea subarea and establishing the Northern Bering Sea Research Area. Comment period through April 21, 2008. 
73 FR 10415, February 27, 2008. Notice of Availability of proposed Amendment 89 to establish Bering Sea habitat conservation measures, prohibiting nonpelagic trawling in certain waters of the Bering Sea subarea and establishing the Northern Bering Sea Research Area. Comment period through April 28, 2008.
73 FR 9035, February 19, 2008. Final rule to revise the Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area (AIHCA) boundary. Effective March 20, 2008.
72 FR 63500, November 9, 2007. Final rule to correct regulations implementing EFH provisions for Alaska fisheries. Effective on December 10, 2007.
71 FR 36694, June 28, 2006. Final rule to implement FMP amendments identifying and describing EFH, designating HAPC, and including measures in the FMPs to minimize to the extent practicable adverse effects on EFH. Effective July 28, 2006.
67 FR 2343, January 17, 2002.
Final rule for implementing the EFH provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. These regulations provide guidelines for fishery management councils to identify and conserve EFH, as well as procedures for interagency coordination and consultation regarding actions that may adversely affect EFH. The preamble to the final rule provides background information and addresses many issues raised through public comment.
EFH Descriptions and Identification
EFH in Alaska is identified in Fishery Management Plans developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and approved by the Secretary of Commerce. EFH descriptions are comprised of text and maps. (If there are differences between the descriptions of EFH in text and maps, the textual description is ultimately determinative of the limits of EFH.)
EFH Text Descriptions
Text descriptions identify EFH for each life stage of fish managed under a Fishery Management Plan within the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands.
EFH Map Descriptions (ArcIMS website)
Maps depict the area of EFH for each life stage of fish managed under a Fishery Management Plan within the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands.
Species Profiles and Habitat Assessment Reports
Detailed reports provide information about each species, including any known habitat associations, reproductive traits, predator prey relationships, and species-specific literature citations.
Habitat
Nearhsore Habitat
Benthic Habitat
Coral Gardens
Effects of Fishing Gear on Habitat
Images
Fish Photos by Species
Fish Photos by Family
Invertebrate Species (corals)
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EFH Frequently Asked Questions
EFH
Frequently Asked Questions
Many questions surround EFH. Please take a moment to review some of the more common questions and NMFS responses.
EFH Consultation
Federal agencies must consult with NMFS regarding any action authorized, funded, or undertaken, or proposed to be authorized, funded, or undertaken that may adversely affect EFH.
Non-Fishing Impacts to EFH and Recommended Conservation Measures
ALASKA
Frequently Asked Questions
Correspondence
EFH Overview - Consultation and Updates
NATIONAL
EFH Consultation Guidance
EFH Assessment Guidance
EFH Consultation Information
Final EIS for EFH
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Essential Fish Habitat Identification and Conservation in Alaska, April 2005: a comprehensive analysis of the effects of identifying EFH, approaches for identifying Habitat Areas of Particular Concern within EFH, and options for minimizing the effects of fishing on EFH.
70 FR 24037, May 6, 2005. Notice of Availability of Final EIS for EFH.
Scientific Information
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Publications
SE Alaska Nearshore Fish Distribution Atlas: the distribution and habitat of common fishes in shallow nearshore waters of southeastern Alaska
AFSC Life History Database: information for fish species inhabiting the eastern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska management regions
AFSC Technical Reports
AFSC
Quarterly Scientific Reports
Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) Reports
A Field Guide to
Alaska Corals
A Guide to Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Science Centers
Alaska Fisheries Science Center - Seattle, WA
Auke Bay Laboratory/Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute - Juneau, AK
Kodiak Fisheries Research Center - Kodiak, AK
Related Information
Habitat Restoration
Marine Protected Areas
Associated Agencies and Programs
Summary of New VMS Regulations
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