Protected species and marine aquaculture interactions

"This assessment summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding documented and potential interactions of species listed under the Endangered Species Act as amended (ESA; 16 U. S. C. ʹ 1531-- 1543), such as sea turtles and marine mammals, with offshore longline mussel culture gear. Its primary purpose is to strengthen the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) to make science-based decisions and recommendations as part of the review and consultation process required to permit aquaculture operations in federal waters. Although developed in coordination with GARFO staff, this assessment is highly relevant to efforts already underway and upcoming in other U. S. regions to permit longline mussel aquaculture. The information in this assessment is useful for guiding the regulatory process of Protected Resources Division (PRD) consultations to meet the agency goals of advancing aquaculture in the open ocean while still meeting its mandates under the ESA. In addition to summarizing what is known and providing a state of science analysis, the assessment includes a preliminary risk analysis to evaluate potential for harmful interactions between aquaculture and protected species. It also identifies knowledge gaps and areas of needed research. We gathered relevant publications and data on protected species interactions with specific gear types used in commercial marine aquaculture and explored interactions with similar or analogous fishing gear. We used this information to provide management options to help coastal managers to make informed science-based recommendations about permitting, siting and man - aging aquaculture in a manner consistent with federal mandates to protect imperiled species, while also supporting the production of sustainably grown seafood"--Introduction. [doi:10.7289/V5/TM-NOS-NCCOS-211 (http://doi.org/10.7289/V5/TM-NOS-NCCOS-211)] Carol Seals Price, James A. Morris, Jr., Ellen Keane, David Morin, and Christine Vaccaro. David Bean. "January 2017." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-73). 2017 NOS (National Ocean Service) NCCOS (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) Library http://doi.org/10.7289/V5/TM-NOS-NCCOS-211 Public Domain 1935