NOAA and USGS Chart Rocky Reef Habitats for West Coast Groundfish Management

Rocky reefs along the US West Coast may cover only a fraction of the seafloor, but they provide important habitat for many marine species, including federally managed and commercially important groundfishes. A new dataset developed by scientists from NOAA, USGS and partners provides a clearer picture of where these rocky habitats occur. This helps managers identify and protect areas that are ecologically important and potentially vulnerable to human impacts, supporting West Coast groundfish management.

 

Details of the Dataset

 

NOAA and USGS have developed a new dataset. It charts rocky reef habitats. These are along the US West Coast. It involved partners too. It supports groundfish management.

The dataset serves a clear purpose. It provides a clearer picture. This shows where reefs occur. It helps managers identify areas. These are ecologically important.

 

The Importance of Reefs

 

Rocky reefs hold particular value. They cover only a fraction of the seafloor. Yet they provide important habitat. This supports many species. These include commercially important groundfishes.

The reefs support valuable species. These include rockfishes. They are federally managed. They are also commercially important. This makes the reefs ecologically significant.

 

The Management Context

 

The dataset supports habitat management. NOAA works with management councils. They identify essential fish habitat. These are necessary areas for fish. They support spawning and survival.

Certain areas receive special designation. These are areas of particular concern. In 2006, reefs received this status. This was for groundfishes. Mapping them was the next step.

 

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The Mapping Approach

 

The mapping used available data. Researchers compiled existing information. They identified missing reef areas. These were absent from earlier data. They built a refined dataset.

The dataset serves practical uses. It can be visualised. It supports coastal management. It also supports marine management. This makes it widely applicable.

 

The Key Findings

 

The mapping revealed new insights. Reefs occur throughout the margin. This spans California to Washington. They are more patchily distributed. This was not previously understood.

The findings underscore the reefs' rarity. They accounted for about 8 percent of mapped extent. This limited footprint is significant. It highlights their importance. They support diverse marine life.

 

Significance of the Dataset

 

The dataset supports conservation. It helps managers evaluate impacts. These concern coastal and offshore activities. It informs conservation decisions. This identifies valuable areas.

The dataset provides a common resource. It serves scientists studying reefs. It also serves management agencies. As offshore activity expands, it gains importance. It provides a foundation for protection.