South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Comprehensive EFH Amendment

Included amendments

  • Coral Amendment 4
  • Shrimp Amendment 3
  • Snapper Grouper Amendment 10
  • CMP Amendment 10
  • Golden Crab Amendment 1
  • Spiny Lobster Amendment 5
  • Comprehensive EFH Amendment

Amendment Summary

Identified essential fish habitat (EFH) and established EFH-habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for managed species in the South Atlantic.

Amendment documents

Implemented Regulations

  • Increases the size of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) and incorporates two adjacent areas within the Oculina Bank HAPC. Within these areas, fishing with bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited. Furthermore, fishing vessels may not anchor, use an anchor and chain, or use a grapple and chain in these areas; and Implements regulatory changes to reflect the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (Council’s) proposed framework procedure for all its fishery management plans (FMPs) that allows for timely modification of definitions of essential fish habitat (EFH) and establishment or modification of EFH-HAPCs and Coral HAPCs. The intended effect is to protect, conserve, and enhance EFH.