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The purpose of this dataset was to combine the individual HAPC feature classes from each region into one standardized and uniform dataset with proper metadata. A new set of attributes was created to store a common set of attributes with the most simplified information and provide linkages back to the original source documents. |
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The purpose of this dataset was to combine the individual HAPC feature classes from each region into one standardized and uniform dataset with proper metadata. A new set of attributes was created to store a common set of attributes with the most simplified information and provide linkages back to the original source documents. |
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NOAA Fisheries: Northeast Regional Office, Southeast Regional Office, Southwest Regional Office, Northwest Regional Office, Alaska Regional Office, Pacific Regional Office; Fishery Management Councils: New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, North Pacific, Western Pacific; NOAA Fisheries Science Centers: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, Pacific Islands, Alaska; Highly Migratory Species Division (headquarters); Habitat Protection Division (headquarters). |
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NaN |
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[] |
| description:
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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>The purpose of HAPCs is to focus conservation, management, and research efforts on subsets of EFH that are vulnerable to degradation or are especially important ecologically for federally managed fish. The HAPC designation alone does not confer additional protection or restrictions to an area, but helps to focus EFH conservation, management, and research priorities. HAPC designation is a valuable way to acknowledge areas where we have detailed information on ecological function and habitat vulnerability, indicating a greater need for conservation and management. In some instances the Councils and NMFS may develop fishery management measures to conserve the habitat within the HAPC.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>HAPCs are a subset of EFH that deserve special attention because they provide extremely important ecological functions and/or are especially vulnerable to degradation. For instance, HAPC designation may be warranted for areas that play a vital role in the reproductive cycle of a managed species (e.g., grouper spawning sites) or areas that contain a rare habitat type (e.g., corals) that may be sensitive to disturbance from fishing or other human activities.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN><SPAN>Councils may designate an area as a HAPC for one or more of the following reasons:</SPAN></SPAN></P><UL><LI><P><SPAN>The habitat provides important ecological functions</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>The habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>The habitat type is rare.</SPAN></P></LI></UL></DIV></DIV></DIV> |
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Although these data have been used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as to the accuracy of the data. The act of Distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the use of these data, software, or related materials., Users are advised that the spatial representation of essential fish habitat is for informational purposes only and should not be solely relied on for regulatory purposes. Implementing regulations [50 CFR 600.815(a)(1)(iv)(B)] specify if there are differences between the descriptions of EFH in text and maps the textual description is ultimately determinative of the limits of EFH as described in the Amendment. |
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| title:
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Habitat Areas of Particular Concern |
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["Habitat Areas of Particular Concern","HAPC","Essential Fish Habitat","EFH","Habitat","Fish","Fisheries","NMFS","NOAA","groundfish","fishery management plan","FMP"] |
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en-US |
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NaN |
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