A sea lily (Crinoidea) rests in the middle of a mushroom coral (Anthomastus sp.) at about 7,000-8,000 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists documented the pair on NOAA’s 2018 Okeanos Expedition during a research cruise to the West Florida Escarpment and DeSoto Canyon areas. Photo Credit: NOAA

Environment USA28. October 2020

Fish Carefully to Protect the Corals, New Rule Says

In a final rule, federal officials in the US have approved a first-of-its-kind plan to protect the Gulf of Mexico’s deep-sea corals, focusing on management, conservation and research, and restricting damaging fishing.

The modifications proposed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council – and approved by the authorities – aim to protect these fragile ecosystems. The move will help conserve a vital habitat, which will benefit an array of marine life. Current and future generations of anglers, commercial fishermen, seafood consumers, and many others would reap benefits from a healthy Gulf of Mexico, the council announced.

Following a petition signed by close to 30,000 people, concrete steps were taken, including the creation of the Habitat Areas of Particular Concern comprised of 21 protected sites totaling 484 square miles. The Gulf Council has decided to restrict damaging fishing gear, such as trawls, traps, anchors, and long lines, as they break or damage corals, but the Pew Charitable Trusts encourages the council to take the further step of restricting damaging fishing gear in all sites with rich coral communities identified by scientists.

Source:
Pew Trusts

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