GIS Data for EFH Areas Protected from Fishing

These data display areas in which NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils have used the EFH provisions established in Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prevent, mitigate, or minimize adverse effects from fishing on EFH.

Note: These areas do not necessarily represent areas in which NOAA Fisheries has prohibited fishing. Rather, they display areas where steps have been taken to minimize the impact that fisheries have on EFH. These steps may include anchoring restrictions, required fishing gear modifications, or prohibitions on certain types of gear, among others. This is not an exhaustive list of fishing restrictions that have been implemented by NOAA Fisheries. This dataset represents only those areas in which NOAA Fisheries has implemented the specific EFH provisions in Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Nationwide

This nationwide dataset represents designated EFH areas where fishing or the use of fishing gears had been restricted or modified in order to minimize the adverse effects of fishing on EFH as required by Section 303(a)(7) of the Magnuson Stevens Act. Each region lists specific rules and guidelines on these restrictions in their fishery management plans. Please refer to regional guidelines for details on these EFH protected areas.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

Alaska

The Alaska region includes the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands and is managed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Council has designated several discrete areas in which management actions have been taken. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in Alaska.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

Caribbean

The Caribbean includes Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. These islands are part of NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Region. The Caribbean Fishery Management Council has designated seven sites to address required provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in the Caribbean.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the west coast of Florida. These states are also part of NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Region. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has designated eight discrete areas to address the adverse effects of fishing in the region as well as HAPCs and EFH requirements. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in the Gulf of Mexico.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

Mid-Atlantic

The Mid-Atlantic includes the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia and is part of NOAA Fisheries' Greater Atlantic region. Protected areas are determined by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. In the Mid-Atlantic, the use of certain fishing gears has been prohibited in four offshore canyons and in a large area south of Cape Cod in order to protect EFH from the adverse effects of fishing. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in the Mid-Atlantic.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

New England

New England includes the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and is also part of NOAA Fisheries' Greater Atlantic region. The use of certain fishing gears has been prohibited in nine discrete areas by the New England Fishery Management Council in order to minimize the adverse impacts of fishing on EFH. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in New England.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

South Atlantic

The South Atlantic includes the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida and is also part of NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Region. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has designated two areas in an effort to minimize the effects of adverse fishing on EFH. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in the South Atlantic.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021

West Coast

The West Coast includes the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. The Pacific Fishery Management Council has designated 77 discrete areas where certain fishing gears are prohibited. Read more about these specific EFH management actions in the West Coast.

Latest data update: 03/10/2021