Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean Including a Draft Environmental Assessment Volume I

The Magnuson-Stevens Act defines Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as "those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity." Additionally, fish is defined as "finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds." The Act has a mandate for the consideration of Essential Fish Habitat of all areas within the jurisdiction of the United States. The Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the US Caribbean Including an Environmental Assessment addresses the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act regarding EFH.